It is a nice trip to this place very near to Bengaluru. It is not yet so popular but if we go there we feel like coming again for a picnic and for a small trek which tests your stamina of climbing 450 steps.
My Rating of the place – 3/5
Some picnic stuff like bhindi-puri, aloo-puri, Raita, Veg pulao, kheer and we 15 set off for Mandagiri. As we reach near to this monolithic hillock we feel “worked out” by seeing the steps path from far. Some of us lose hope of climbing but most of us could achieve to reach top. It is golden sun shining on January, 23. We reach at 12.30. Ah! Mid day. It is just 45 minutes climb including photography time.
This place is just 65 KM from KR Puram Railway station. We started a bit late at about 10.45 and sun had spread its bright golden wings already.
How to reach Mandagiri
This place is just 10 KM from Tumkuru and 65 KM from KR Puram railway station. This lies in Bangalore-Tumkur Highway (NH75). Although it is best to drive here using your own vehicle, you can go by a Bangalore to Tumkur bus and get down at Pandithanahalli cross or ‘Basadi Betta Cross’. From there, cross the national highway and walk through Pandithanahalli for about 1.5 kms. Then you will see Mandaragiri hill.
Hotels and restaurants – There are no hotels at Mandagiri. You may get hotels for stay in Tumkuru which is 10 KM away from here. There are no big restaurants but at the parking place you may get water bottles and snacks. I suggest to take enough water and eatables to this place.
There are four sites to visit here – Chandranatha Tirthankara statue, trek to monolithic rock, peacock look temple (Sri Shantinsagarji Maharaj, a Digambara Jain ascetic) and a really beautiful lake. All these are within radius of 1 KM.
First we climbed the monolithic hill. There were good (if not great) views from top of the hill.
WE got down from the hillock and had our lunch at 3 PM. There is enough space for picnic inside the campus of Pinchi (broom) shaped temple.
Then we visited the Shantinath temple and Pinchi shaped temple which are in same big campus where we had picnic.
Chandranatha Tirthankara statue
After seeing these three spots we head towards lake. The road to this lake is mud road but car can reach up to lake. It is about 3 KM from Mandagiri Hill and is a MUST Visit lake. We spend here 2 hours.
Let us have a brief look at some relevant information about Jainism. Jainism spread more in Karnataka than in other Southern states because in 3rd century BC due to prediction of a Jain saint about 12 years of famine in North. Chandragupt Maurya was old and Jain disciples moved along with Sanghas to Karnataka Shravan Belagola. From here Buddhism spread its root. Later Western Ganga, Kadamba and Chalukya dynasties and the Hoysala Empire provided patronage.
Tirthankara – The ordinary humans who attained salvation- state of perfection. They are Jain Gods. The last 24th was Mahavir Jain.
Prayer – They pray to break the barriers of worldly attachments and desires. They do not ask any favors from their Gods.
Whom Jains worship – Jain Gods are infinite. All those who attained perfection and self realization. The idols of Tirthankara are the SYMBOL of virtues not God.
Holy book – Agam Sutras.
Jain symbol – Hand with wheel represents Ahimsa.
Difference between Buddha and Mahavir – Jainism existed before Mahavir. He just propagated Jainism while Buddha founded a new religion. Mahavir and Buddha were contemporary humans.
On death – Body is cremated.
Caste system – There is no caste system in Jains.
Main centers of Jain population – Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra. In todays context the most striking feature of Jainism is their principle of Non Violence and peace. They have almost amalgamated with Hindu culture and practices. They are not radical and have huge success in business.
Places near to Mandagiri – Around 10 KM radius other worth visiting places are DD Hills, Goravanahalli Lakshmi temple, Namada Chilume (natural spring), Siddara Betta, Mallasandra betel nut farm, deer park and another lake on way to DD Hills.
Epilogue
There are many Jain temples which date from 1000 AD till new ones under construction by rich Jain community donations. Some important places which are pilgrimage in Karnataka are –
Badami, Aihole, Shravanabelagola, Halebeedu, Belgaum Fort, Tumkuru, Hampi, Godageri, Dharmasthala, Venur, Gommatagiri, Moodabidri, Lakkundi, Hubli, Sankighatta, Pattadakal, Kundadri and Karkala.
Talking particularly about Mandagiri, is a good weekend getaway for temples, picnic, scenic lakeside and trekking. Two days are needed to see places around it.
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