SYNTHERI ROCKS AND ULAVI CAVES

Last year I had visited with family and friends to Syntheri rocks and the nearby Ulavi Shri Chennabasaveshwara Temple which are situated inside the thick forest of Dandeli of Uttara Kannada District.  Syntheri rock is famous for natural caves formed by river Kaneri, a tributary of river Kali. While flowing through the valleys, river Kaneri formed several caves in the rock-cut valley of Syntheri, which have geographycal  importance.  The river-flow disappear in some caves and appear in some other caves with ferocious speed and current which forms several whirls and gives a wonderful image of laughing flowers. The scene is fantastic and heart-throbbing. One should be very careful while moving around here.

The team near the Syntheri Rocks.

Ulavi is  situated nearby the Syntheri rocks, in the thick forest. Here several natural caves are there, where Chennabasava, nephew of Basaveshwara  took hide after “Kalyana kranthi” of 12^th century.  In the vicinity of six kilometres there are six major caves. Three are at the cow-head hill, which is a single big rock, namely Akkanagavva cave, Rudrakshi cave and Chennabasava cave. Nearby is a natural water fountain in which water flows all throught the year. It is named as "haralayyana chilume". Haralayya was a close aide of Chennebasava, who might be searched and noticed this water source in the thick forest. Three kilometres away from here a major cave, called 'Mahamane' is really a trekking point. It is said that the team of Chennabasava was conducting meeting (anubhava mantapa) at this cave and named as 'mahamane'.The way towards all the caves are very steep and difficult to reach. One has to crawl-down to enter inside.  Inside the Mahamane cave  there is a water pond and thousands of bats attack on you if you dare to enter! Snakes and crocodiles may also be there. We can see it from outside and enter maximum till 10-15 feet. Another cave is situated 3 k.m.s away from Ulavi. One can visit these caves safely during summer with little attack of leaches. The deity of Ulavi, must be installed by Chennabasava during those days, is named after him. At Ulavi, after five years of hide-out  Chennabasava lost his life. After this, Ulavi became an important historical place. Thousands of people gather for the Car Festival which is being held every year during the month of March. 

Team members spiritedly gathered near the Ulavi Temple.