A Cave Which Leads From Karnataka to Varanasi

Located amidst the hustle and bustle of a big city, the Hulimavu Shiva Cave Temple is a little-known gem that houses immense power and boundless mysteries. It offers a chance for serenity and meditation in a world filled with the incessant noise of a busy life. The cave temple stands as a metaphor for the human experience itself.

The entrance to the temple was previously unpainted. https://www.thinkbangalore.com/2014/11/sri-ramalingeshwara-cave-temple.html#gsc.tab=0

In the midst of a bustling neighbourhood with posh shopping malls, high-rise IT buildings, crowded markets, and elite schools, there exists a small enclave that stands in stark contrast to the fast-paced life of the growing city. Nestled amidst the towering buildings that dominate the surrounding skyline, it can easily go unnoticed. To reach it, one must pass through the nearby BSG National School gate. However, once inside, they are transported to a world vibrating with tranquillity.

The Hulimavu Shiva Cave Temple, known by various names such as the Hulimavu Cave Temple, the Sri Ramalingeswara Cave Temple, or simply the Cave Temple, holds many attractions for those seeking peace and serenity. The temple features a dhyana mandapa, a meditation hall, with a capacity to accommodate up to a hundred people. The mandapa resonates with the energy of the visitors, be it sages or the general public, who come here for meditation and prayers. Many have reported experiencing a divine and vibrating energy enveloping them while meditating within these sacred walls.

Meditation has long been associated with the history of this temple. Mariappa Swamiji, the managing trustee of the temple, recounts his fascinating experience. Originally a contractor by profession, he was carrying out repair work at the Sri Vishwanatha Temple in Nandi hills when a sage in the hills directed him to find a similar sage meditating in a cave in Bangalore. His search led him to Sri Ramanand Swamiji, who was immersed in deep meditation within this very cave. Twelve years later, realizing that it was time for him to depart, the sage attained Jeeva Samadhi - he willingly relinquished his life force, infusing the cave with his tapas, so that it would vibrate with his spiritual energy. His samadhi, his final resting place, is revered within these sacred grounds.

If this isn't awe-inspiring enough, the history of the temple itself is nothing short of marvellous. Officially declared as two thousand years old by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the cave possesses a rare feature - water.

Two mysterious cave entrances originate from the sanctum of the temple. One is believed to lead ten miles away to another cave temple situated on a hill known as Shivagange, while the other is said to provide a direct path to the holy city of Varanasi. Another intriguing presence within the temple is that of a rarely found Agni statue. Devotees believe that worshipping the god of fire can cure ailments related to the eyes.

The entrance to the temple is adorned with painted walls depicting episodes from the epic Ramayana. Inside, there are three main shrines - a central Shiva Lingam, a Panchaloha idol of Goddess Rajarajeshwari on one side, and a stone Ganesha on the other. Shrines dedicated to Lord Rama, Sita, Laxman, Hanuman, and Nandi can also be found within the temple premises.

The Hulimavu Shiva Cave Temple serves as an oasis of tranquillity and serenity in the midst of the organized chaos of city life, much like the human soul itself. Its significance can be gauged by the fact that it has been featured in regional movies, offering a glimpse into its mysterious realms and rare occurrences. It brings us closer to the divine energy of sages, enabling us to find solace and calm within our own minds. Like a precious pearl hidden inside the protective shell of a mollusc, this temple celebrates and nurtures life and the life force within us.

This natural cave temple, believed to have been constructed 400-500 years ago, was later renovated by Sri Bala Gangadhara Swamy., there is a free Ayurvedic clinic located on the premises. Sri Balagangadharswamy Matha, which currently oversees the administration of the temple, has plans to expand it into a hospital. Furthermore, the dhyana mandapa is set to be transformed into an International Meditation Centre.

The temple inside the cave https://www.thinkbangalore.com/2014/11/sri-ramalingeshwara-cave-temple.html#gsc.tab=0

Visitors meditating inside the dhyana mandapa https://www.thinkbangalore.com/2014/11/sri-ramalingeshwara-cave-temple.html#gsc.tab=0

A shrine to navagrahas outside the temple https://www.thinkbangalore.com/2014/11/sri-ramalingeshwara-cave-temple.html#gsc.tab=0

A view of the cave https://www.thinkbangalore.com/2014/11/sri-ramalingeshwara-cave-temple.html#gsc.tab=0