Adichunchanagiri Hills – The Math & Temple Complex

Adichunchanagiri Hills – The Math & Temple Complex

Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math is situated on a rocky hill at an altitude of about 3,300 feet above mean sea level. The math is the spiritual headquarters of the Natha Parampara and Jogi cult of Hindus of Karnataka. The hill can be approached from the western side. The hill itself is in the form of Athmalinga of Gokarna Kshetra. The hills appear like the moon crested Shiva at moon rise. Kalabhairaveshwara Temple is enclosed by a granite compound wall.

Kalabhairaveshwara is considered as the Kshetra Palaka of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math. The temple is situated at about 35 feet above the ground level. Dvarapalas can be seen at the entrance of the sanctum. Adichunchanagiri has Panchalingas namely Gangadhareshwara, Chandramouleshwara, Malleshwara, Siddeshwara and Someshwara. Of the Panchalingas, Lord Gangadhareshwara is known as the presiding deity and Chandramouleshwara is known as Atmartha Devatha.

Lord Gangadhareshwara is the presiding deity of the complex. The two natural cave temples here are dedicated to Siddheswara and Someshwara. Goddess Parvati resides here in the form of Stambambike / Kambadamma. Shrines of Ashta Bhairavas, Ganesha and Lord Subrahmanya can be seen in the complex. The peak point of the hillock is known as Akasha Bhairava. Theertham associated with this complex is Bindu Sarovara.

Two lakes have been built in the complex for the deepotsava programmes. The Math also runs a Medical College here. The temple is surrounded by dense forest with high population of the peacocks. This forest has been declared as peacock sanctuary. The altitude of the sanctuary may vary from 770 to 1000 meters. This sanctuary is formed to preserve animals like bonnet macaque, fruit bat, jungle cat, hare, and common mongoose.