History

Shivagange is a mountain peak with a height of 804.8 meters or 2640.3 feet and Hindu pilgrimage center located near Dobbaspet, in Bengaluru Rural district India. It is situated 19 km from the town of Tumakuru and 54 km from Bengaluru. The sacred mountain is shaped as a shivalinga and a spring flows near locally called “Ganga”, thereby giving the place its name. It is also known as Dakshina Kashi (Kashi of the South) and place is having various temples such as Gangadhareshwara temple, Sri Honnammadevi Temple, Olakal Teertha, Nandi Statue, Patalagange, A historical rock statue of Nandi or Basavanna carved on top of a steep rock is considered as a spell binding sculpture because of its narrow location. Sharadambe temple and several theerthas such as Agasthya theertha, Kanva theertha, Kapila theertha, Pathala Gange etc. are found in this hill.

Sri Honnammadevi Temple is inside the cave. Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is also inside the cave. Gavi means Cave, Gangadhareshwara means Parameshwara having Gange on the top. Every year in the month of January on the day of Sankranthi festival, the marriage function of Sri Gangadhareshwara and Sri Honnammadevi (Parvathi) is conducted. At that time Ganga holy water will come from the rock at the top of hill and that holy water is used for the dhare ritual (solemnise) of the marriage function.
The place was under the control of Hoysala kings and the queen Shanthala, wife of Vishnuvardhana committed suicide in this hill out of depression as she did not give birth to a son and the place is identified as Shantahala drop. The hill was fortified during the 16th century by Shivappa Nayaka which is in ruins. The founder of Bengaluru, Magadi Kempegowda also improved the fort and kept a portion of his treasure in this fort.

A month-long cattle fair is held during Sankranthi month (around January) every year, which is a market place for bullocks. Only pilgrim centre where car festival is celebrated twice in a year.Once in January for Gangadhareshwar and again in October for Honnadevi.
An interesting miracle happens here is that when an abhisheka is performed on Shivalinga with ghee, the ghee turns to butter. Devotees can see the miracle live during abhisheka.It is said that the ghee that turns to butter has medicinal powers and can cure many ailments. According to legend there exists a secret tunnel that extends from the sanctum sanctorum (Garba Griha) of this temple to the Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple in Bengaluru, around 50 kilometers from this temple.
River Kumudvathi has its origin in the Shivagange hills and it is a tributary of river Arkavati. Kumudvathi flows across 278 villages covering 460 km2 encompassing major part of Nelamangala Taluk, Bengaluru Rural District and parts of Magadi Taluk, Ramanagra District. Due to various reasons like deforestation, unsustainable extraction of ground water, soil erosion, encroachments and massive eucalyptus plantations river has dwindled resulting in serious water crisis for drinking and agriculture in all the villages under the river basin. However, there are projects and efforts made by many groups to revive the river to its glory.
The area is a popular site for rock climbing in the Karnataka state. The entire trail to the peak is well marked and the presence of man-made steps (often carved into the rocky landscape, but sometimes made from rocks) makes the trail suitable for beginners. There are frequent rest opportunities with stalls serving food and drinks. The trekking path to reach summit from foothills is of 2.3 km in a pre-defined path, much of which is climbed towards the end of the path where the trail becomes steep and narrow – safety rails are provided in such areas. Monkeys are the main fauna inhabiting the hill.