Adichunchanagiri Temple is a Divine abode dedicated to Shiva, worshipped as Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy. Maha Samsthana Math, the religious establishment of the Adichunchanagiri hills, manages this Temple, whose presiding deity is Shiva as Gangadhareshwara.
This Adichunchanagiri Hill Temple lies in the Nagamangala Taluk, Mandya District, in the state of Karnataka, about 110 km from the capital Bengaluru to its west and 130 km from the Bengaluru International Airport. The Temple lies at about 3300 feet high on a rocky hill surrounded by thick forests. This forest is known for its large number of peacocks and is rightly called Mayuravana, the forest of the peacocks.
Adichunchanagiri Hill also remains the spiritual headquarters of Natha Parampare and the Jogi Cult of the Hindus in the Karnataka state.
Adichunchanagiri Temple Legend
There are references to this holy place in scriptures, such as Shiva Purana. While we also get some information from inscriptions that can be considered authentic, folklore comes up with its own version. Putting all these together, we come to the story of Shiva, his encounter with some demons, and his grace to a Siddha.
Shiva had to put an end to the atrocities of 2 demons, Chuncha and Kancha. So he assumed his fierce form as Adi Rudra, fought and slew the Asuras in this mountain. It was from Adi Rudra and the demon Chuncha, this hill got its name as Adi Chun Chana Giri. Subsequently, in order to make the place holy and help people follow the righteous path and benefit from it, Shiva handed over this area to a Siddha Yogi, advising him to spread the value of virtue and right thoughts and behavior in the society. The saint, touched by Shiva’s gesture, created a sacred establishment, the Siddha Simhasana and a Mutt here, and thus started a Natha tradition.
Thus was established a holy order here and the Maha Samsthana Math, which continue to serve the public even today. Jagadguru Dr. Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, the 71st pontiff of the Math for nearly 4 decades, from 1974 to 2013, contributed immensely to its growth and causes; he was also a recipient of the 3rd highest Indian civilian award, Padma Bhushan. Sri Dr. Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji, the 72nd Head of this Math, is now steering the center and its various religious and spiritual activities.
The Shiva aspect Kalabhairaveshwara remains the Kshetra Palaka, the guardian deity of the Adichunchanagiri Maha Samsthana Math. Its presiding deity is Gangadhareshwara, the Shiva who wears the holy Ganges on his matted hair.
Adichunchanagiri Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy Temple
This hill Temple is quite ancient, believed to be around 2000 years old, and is located in picturesque surroundings. In addition to worshipping Shiva as Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy and Gangadhareshwara Swamy, devotees can also pay reverence to the Pancha Lingas (the 5 Linga forms of Shiva), the Jwala Peetha and Sthambamba here. The Sacred pond of the Temple is Bindu Sarovara, and they have also made 2 lakes for the Deepotsava festival. Akasha Bhairava, literally the Bhairava of the sky or Bhairava touching the sky, remains the peak point of the hillock. They perform Yagnyas, other rituals, and prayers here as per the Vedic culture and tradition with natural resonance, and one can feel these in the form of a Divine presence here.
A large number of devotees from Bengaluru and other places come to this hill Temple to seek the blessings of Shiva and enjoy the natural and scenic beauty. Reaching this place from Bengaluru by road may take only about 2 hours, while people can also come here by train.
