Sirsi Travelogue

In the previous blog, we had seen the avifauna and a couple of other vertebrates.  But Sirsi is so much more - now let us see the geographical wonders of this beautiful region.  

The Yana Rocks were probably the most spectacular of these. These Monoliths are made of dark limestone formations of crystalline karst rocks.

There is a very interesting mythological story about these rocks. There was a demon-king, Bhasmasura, who as a result of his penance, was granted a boon by Lord Shiva - By touching anyone's head, they would turn into bhasma or ashes. Bhasmasura wanted to try this on Shiva himself.  Shiva entreated Lord Vishnu to help and protect him. Vishnu took the form of a beautiful woman, Mohini, and challenged Bhasmasura to a dance competition, during which she tricked him to place his hand on his own head, reducing him to ashes.  The flames were said to be so strong, that the surrounding limestone turned black. 

The two main monoliths are named Mohini Shikhara and Bhairaveshwara Shikhara.  Under the Bhairaveshwara is a cave temple with a swayambhu shiva-linga (naturally formed).  And all this, in the middle of verdant forest, making it a very popular trekking spot.

Another beautiful place was the Mirjan Fort.  This architecturally elegant fort, situated on the west coast of Uttara Kannada was credited to be built by Queen Chennabhairavi of Gersoppa under the Vijayanagara empire, in the 16th century. She ruled for about 54 years and lived at this very fort.  The Port of Mirjan was famous for shipping pepper, saltpetre, and betel nut to Surat. The Portuguese gave the epithet "The Pepper Queen" to the queen of Gersoppa.  

Goddess on Mirjan Fort

Ramparts of Mirjan Fort

Despite being 400 years old, it was awe-inspiring to see many structures still intact. The watchtower, flag hoisting pole, underground wells with steps leading down, and the ramparts added to the excellence of the place. 

Another interesting place we visited was the Tibetan Monastery - "Gaden Jantse Thoesam Norling Monastery", at Mundgod.   It is a beautiful serene monastery, where young Buddhist monks are taught and trained.  Established in 1966, on the proposal of the Tibetan Administration with the help of the Government of India, the place is a repository of Tibetan life and culture, and referred to as "Mini Tibet". 

We also had a chance to visit the Mangroves on Sharavati River backwater, in the Honavar Forest Division.  

We were also blessed with a visit to a Ganesha temple around Sirsi, with a golden Shesha Nag (nine-headed Cobra) sheltering the idol's head. As is the case in most south Indian temples, the idol was shiny black and simplistic. The lord's peaceful eyes held a gaze that seems to pierce straight into your soul. The left turning trunk symbolises the benevolent and nurturing side of his personality (yin), and the snake depicts the rising of the Kundalini energy to meet the divine.

Back at the resort, the food was excellent, with not a single dish being repeated in the entire seven-day stay! As it was the end of summer, we could enjoy a treat of home-grown delicious mangoes! This vacation was absolutely idyllic! Sirsi, for me, was no less than Alibaba's cave with such a trove of these treasures.  It was almost as if someone had uttered the magic words- "Open Sesame"  or Khul Ja Simsim!!

Aditi Deshpande June 2017