Shri Ramalingeshwara Swami Temple

Historical Temple with so much ancient relevance. A must visit place, many temples in the vicinity and if you want to cover the hill climbing should reach by early morning 7:00 and would take more than 1-2 hrs to cover the entire place.

This time it was to drive towards Kolar district again and visit the Ramalingeshwara temple, trek on the Avani Betta (Avani hillock), and the Koti Lingeshwara temple. We left at around 7.30 am and after an hour and 30-minute drive from Bangalore brought us to the village of Avani.  Avani is a small hamlet and we did not expect such a spectacular temple to be located here.
The Ramlingeshwara complex of temples was built in the 10th century AD by the Nolamba dynasty and later renovated by the Chola dynasty. The Vijaynagar kings also had a role to play in the construction of the temple. when they further added the main Mandapam and the Rajgopuram. The temple is now declared a national heritage by the department of Archeological Survey of India

The Ramalingeshwara shrine has a garbagriha, an antarala, and a navaranga. It is in the centre of the courtyard and is the main part of the complex. The pillars of the navaranga  are ornate and have beautiful carvings. This linga was supposed to have been established by Sri Rama himself. Alongside the linga shrine is a shrine for Parvati. The same complex also houses idols of the Chola kings who had built the complex of temples. This shrine is the only one where the daily worship is performed by the priests.
A you do need to look up and see the ceilings, lest you miss the exquisite carvings that are engraved. The ceilings have engravings of the ‘ashtha dikpalakas’ or gods of the eight directions. That the Nolamba dynasty were staunch Shaivites is clear when you come to the temple. One can see the other lingas, when you circumambulate the temple. All the temples are pretty much alike with a Shivalinga, a Nandi in front of the temple, the ashthadikpalaka on the ceilings.
The sizes may differ, for instance, the Bharateshwara temple has a large Nandi. In contrast, it is not as ornate as the other temples. There is a shrine for Subrahmanyeshwara as well as Lord Ganesha in the complex. In addition there are shrines for Vali and Sugreeva and a Navagraha Mantapa.The outer walls have ornate friezes with carvings of  Ganesha, Krishna, yakshas, figures of dancing women, monkeys, lions, etc. The gopurams of all temples are built in the Dravidian style. The temple has a wall around it that resembles a fort. From the back of the temple, you can see the hillock that is called the Valmiki Betta, or Lava-Kusha Betta or popularly known as the Avani Betta.
The Sthalapurana or story behind the temple

Though not part of the original Ramayana, everyone is aware of the second exile that Sita had to undertake when she was pregnant. She is left in Valmiki’s ashram in the forest where she delivers the twin boys Lava and Kusha. Sage Valmiki raises them in the ashram and imparts whatever is required for a Kshatriya king to know. Years later, when Lord Rama undertakes the Ashwamedha Yagna, the mighty horse is supposed to have reached Avani where the young boys capture and tie the horse. The Ashwamedha Yagna is the grandest of the Vedic religious rites of ancient India, performed by a king to establish his supremacy. Rama’s army fights with Lava and Kusha to release the horse but is unsuccessful to rein in the boys. Even Lakshmana, Shatrughna and Bharata fail and Sri Rama himself comes to confront the boys. Sita has to finally intervene and tell them to release the horse, as it belongs to their father. Sage Valmiki tells Rama that since he had fought with his sons, he had to adequately repent and make amends by installing a Shiva linga, and hence the Ramalingeshwara temple came to be present. The other brothers, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna also follow their oldest brother and installed Shiva lingas.

A smaller Nandi in all shrines
A large one at the Bharateshwara shrine

Subramanyeshwara Shrine

The Yagna Shala
A view of the Valmiki Betta
After the darshan at the Ramalingeshwara Temple, we made our way to the Avani Betta. Tune in for more.

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This historical place is no way less than Pattadakal. But, due to lack of publicity and improvement, this great architectural site is suffering. Hence, only one out of 6 Shivalingas is being worshipped. This is a must visit site for all ancient temple lovers.

Beautiful historical temple at Avani, we went on weekday hence no rush. Also were served Prasad (pongal) by panditji. There are small temples having Shivlinga in this structure. This is 11th century temple mainly developed by Chola kings.

This is an ancient temple built in the 10th century by Chola Dynasty.
There are four major Shivlings in this temple, Ramalingeshwara, Lakshmanalingeshwara, Bharathalingeshwara and Shatrughnalingeshwara.
There is also an unique "Vali-Sughreeva" temple

Unfortunately,Not many people know about this temple. The tourism department of Karnataka and India should promote this place.

A beautiful temple depicting our history and mythology but unfortunately no proper maintenance. I guess we should do something to protect our rich cultural heritage. Else what our ancestors did for us goes in vain.
Extremely beautiful carvings in the walls and pillars.
Each shivlinga has a story..
Mythologically rich are we Hindus and the more deeper I go the more dumbstruck I am..

A beautiful temple built in the 10th century.
While visiting avani hills we found out about this temple. Peaceful place and the way it's built is unbelievable

One of the best temple in the neighbourhood that was build in 10th century with link to ramayana.

Various forms are linga deitys worshipped by various aviator could be seen.

So much history in one place..
Very calm
They have maintained this temple and it's very neat
Beautiful place ✨

So much history in one place - starting with this temple complex. It is being restored currently. It still looks beautiful though ❤ please do look up at the ceiling to see some amazing carvings. It is a functional temple and Pooja is held regularly. Place has been maintained extremely clean - so please keep it that way. And do enjoy 2000+ old year history 😍

The temple complex comprises of four major shrines one each for Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. Very calm and beautiful architecture, when we had visited this place it was under renovation. However authorities should try to keep this temple alive. Our ancient temple should be preserved and restored, so that it will be carried forward for generations 🙏🏼 Historically important place must visit this temple 🙏🏼🙌🏼

We randomly encountered the temple during our trek to Avanthi Betta. Really peaceful, great breeze and amazing 10th century architecture made the visit really worthwhile. Definitely suggest visiting the place.
The local government should put efforts in maintaining it so more people come to see it.

Good place to visit. Littile over 1 hour drive from Bengaluru. Nice drive. Beautiful temple. Ancient.

This place is about 80 KM from Bengaluru and about 30 KM from Kolar. Roads are well maintained, start early morning to avoid the traffic. Amazing architecture and must visit place, temple built in 12th century by chola dynasty, most of the roof is destroyed however ASI is trying to restore them. Avani betta is where Sita lived and gave birth to Lava, Kusa and historically significant location. Before visiting read online about the history so that you can understand what each place and its significance else take give at the base, they are not that great but at least explain each place and history behind it. At the top of there is a Sita temple which is a must visit place. It is really soothing to just laydown on the rock and relax. You can easily spend half a day here, don't forget to carry your own water. One sad thing is that people throw trash all around the place and make it dirty especially plastic, hope ASI and locals take a strict measures to keep the place clean.

This temple is 1000 year old (10 AC).
It is in beautiful location and has good vibes.

This was the best decision to go there. It's a small place but amazingly divine. It's aids to 10A.D. which was later renovated by Cholas. Buts superbly neat, peaceful and one feels connected on reaching there.

There is a Ram mandir on the plains and Sita Mandir on the adjacent mountains with a trek of an hour. We didn't go for trek as we were accompanied by old parents.

But I will always recommend it if u r fond of ancient architecture and ancient temples.

Really amazing historical temple with lot of History hidden in the form of Sculptures & inscriptions..

Built by the hoysala dynasty, this temple has a lot of deitys in the temple premises. Although the structure is too old and all the sculptures outside the temple are all deteriorating, archeology department it renewing it with much efforts. Even during weekends it's not crowded and the temple is open from morning to evening 6 p.m.
It's located beneath the avani mountains and attracts trekkers. All in all it's beautiful picturesque location during sunrise and sunsets.

It's a very nice and serene place. Peace and tranquil. Very old structures and sculptures are still there. It has to be maintained. Will make you remember the past glory and admire them.

No one will disturb you to do pooja or ask for money. A genuinely nice temple to visit.

Not much crowded and a lot of free space is there. Also a beautiful multi colored chariot is placed outside the temple.

This temple was constructed in the 10th century. And now it's under renovation at a few places. Easy to reach from Kolar. You'll get Rama lingam, lakshmana lingam, Bharata and Shathrugana lingam temples at this place.