Sri Revana Siddeshwara Temple, Kailancha, Ramanagara - Story - Festivals - History

Sri Revana Siddeshwara Temple is located at Kailancha in Ramanagara, Karnataka. The shrine is dedicated to Shiva.

At the beginning of the Kali Yuga, in a place called Kolanupaka in present-day Telangana, Lord Revanasidda is believed to have manifested from the Someshwara Linga. After traveling across the world for 700 years, he entered a deep meditative state (tapas) for another 700 years at a sacred hill now known as Shri Revanasiddheshwara Betta.

There are no written inscriptions documenting this, but this tradition has been orally passed down through generations of priests and devotees. References to this story can be found in the sacred text Shri Renuka Vijaya.

🏹 The Hunter’s Divine Encounter:

A hunter, while pursuing his game near the hill, spotted an animal (locally known as Uda) climbing toward the summit. As he pursued it with help from the foothills, the animal disappeared into a cave where Revanasiddha was meditating. In the darkness, the hunter reached out and touched a smooth stone seat, realizing he had encountered the sage himself.

When the hunter tried to pull the animal from under the sage’s feet, Revanasiddha’s body moved. Opening his divine eyes for the first time in many years, he saw the frightened hunter, whom he then calmed, instructed with spiritual teachings (marma upadesha), and blessed with immense wealth. Revanasiddha warned the hunter not to reveal anything about the place or the tapas, lest it be disrupted.

Later, a local administrator named Chamarasa became curious about the hunter’s sudden wealth. When the hunter’s wife was summoned and threatened, she was forced to reveal the secret. Instantly, the hunter died of severe head pain. Chamarasa, realizing the divine truth, climbed the hill with offerings and performed intense worship.

Pleased, Revanasiddha blessed him with a prosperous and just reign and instructed that:

• Every year on Vyasa Purnima, his descendants must celebrate festivals at this site.

• Before any festivities begin, worship must first be offered to his sister Renukamba, who resides at the foothills.

Since then, this sacred place has become known as the Shri Revanasiddheshwara Temple.

🕉️ Key Sacred Spots on the Hill:

• Altitude: The temple is situated on a rocky hill about 328 feet high, accessible by 1,100 stone steps.

• Mid-Hill Shrines: Contains sanctums for Shri Bhimeshwara Swami and Shri Marulasiddeshwara Swami.

📖 Pandavas & the Shiva Linga:

During their exile in the Dwapara Yuga, the Pandavas discovered a cave on the hill. They decided to consecrate a Shiva Linga inside. Bhima was sent to Kashi to bring one, but as the auspicious time neared and Bhima had not returned, Yudhishthira crafted a linga from sand and started worshipping it.

When Bhima returned, he was upset his linga wasn't worshipped first. To pacify him, the Pandavas agreed that from then on, all offerings and first pujas would be for Bhima's Linga, which was then installed and became known as the Shri Bhimeshwara Swami Temple.

🌸 Renukamba’s Devotion:

At the base of the hill is the shrine of Sri Renukamba, believed to be the blessed daughter of Revanasidda. She was born to a devotee named Mayadevi who had no children, through Revanasiddha's boon. When he went in search of a suitable place for tapas, Renukamba followed him, but he asked her to remain at the foothills and wait.

To this day, devotees believe she still awaits her brother’s return. Her shrine is an integral part of the temple tradition.

💦 Temple Rituals & Devotee Beliefs:

Devotees strongly believe that:

• Moral and material desires are fulfilled through prayer here.

• Rituals such as "More Seve" (Vow Offering) involve fetching water from a sacred well and sprinkling it—believed to remove life obstacles.

• Childbirth issues are addressed through ritual bathing.

• Coconuts, spiritual talismans (yantra, tayita) are used for dosha nivarana (defect removals).

🙏 Tips & Guidance for Devotees:

1. Best Time to Visit:

   • During Vyasa Purnima or Maha Shivaratri for grand celebrations.

   • Early mornings are ideal to climb the 1100 steps comfortably.

2. Preparations:

   • Carry water and wear comfortable shoes for the climb.

   • Maintain silence and reverence while in the cave shrine.

3. Offerings:

   • Flowers, coconuts, ghee lamps, and especially water from the temple well.

   • Seek blessings from Renukamba before proceeding to the main shrine.

4. Do’s & Don'ts:

   • Avoid revealing personal spiritual experiences from the cave (as per tradition).

   • Respect the local customs and oral traditions shared by the temple priests.