Kavala Caves - Shivratri 2019

Surface like a Rudraksha & the Jata of  Shiva

In the denser jungles of Haliyal Taluka, Uttar Kannada District and about 25 kms from Dandeli (there are two ways to reach there & both ways it is about 25 kms), on the face of a mountain are the prehistoric  limestone caves called as *Kavala Caves* and are believed to be formed due to volcanic activities millions of years ago.  

It is said that there are more than four caves in this region and they get the name from the Kannada word *Kavala* meaning *The Canal*. Most obviously the caves are narrow & winding like a canal and, at a few points, one has to practically crawl to venture deeper inside the caves. Mind your head at all times as there are a stalactites hanging from above the ceiling of the caves. From the entrance to the deepest point of the cave it must be around 60 feet. 

In the middle of the cave is a stalagmite*¹ (over 4.5 feet tall & nearly 4 feet diameter) of a mystical shape adored and worshiped as a Shivlang. 

In the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve

The shape and outer surface of this stalagmite is very much like a *Rudraksha* and, most astoundingly, the lower portion has *Jata* (a Sanskrit word) like formations all around – very much like plaited hair of Shiva. To add to, just above this is a stalactite*² from which water drips on the stalagmite (or should I call it a Shivling?). It’s a must visit places which leaves us amazed of this magnificent creation of nature.  

Kavala caves being located in core area of Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve are open for general public only on Shivratri (free of any cost). At other times the forest department organizes jeep safari cum trek to Kavala caves against a cost for jeep & guide. It is not possible to venture inside the caves without torches and please do not think of carrying a flambeau as it may scare or hurt the bats, affect the caves and also consume the available oxygen in the caves causing suffocation. 

The surrounding jungles are supposed to be the home of wild animals like elephant, bison, deer, wild boars, leopards, tigers and much more.
(I guess with an exception of lions most other animals of the Indian subcontinent prevail there).  

Route #2 via Ambikanagar is more adventurous and needs
to climb about 940 steps

The cave houses bats & snakes also - it seems. I have been there thrice and have only seen a few bats . . snakes were never seen probably because all times I have been there just the previous evening of Shivratri and there is movement of hawkers and the related yatra organizers around the caves . . although snakes are completely deaf they have a extremely good sense of feeling vibrations from long distances and could be moving to safe distances/regions when people flock during Shivratri. 

Finally, while the religious belief is that it’s a self-manifested or swayambhu Shivling in the shape and surface of a rudraksha, jata of Shiva and snakes around, a Geological answer to it is that it’s just a ‘stalagmite’ which is actually formed due to drippings from a ‘stalactite’ which usually happens in limestone caves. 

Geologically, it is a natural phenomenon and takes some thousands or lakhs of years to happen and to what we can refer today as a self-manifested Shivling. On the other hand a stalagmite taking a shape that so strongly resembles a rudraksha or a Shivling is again a mystical phenomenon. 

Shivling / Stalagmite of a mystical shape

A visit to this place will truly churn the mind and put you in a dilemma of what it is - God or Nature or just Geology. I leave it to the readers to decide and stand by your faith & beliefs. 

To me, as far as self realization or salvation or enlightenment is concerned I always take the longer, more difficult and more adventurous path to reach there – very much as the sages did or do. I have been there all times via the more difficult, longer & more adventurous route (around 940 steps) from Ambikanagar J

*Har Har Mahadev*

- Sanjay V. Javalkar with . . 
Pratibha Javalkar, Vaishnavi Javalkar & Sonal Javalkar  

*¹ Stalagmite - is a type of rock formation that rises from the floor of a cave due to the accumulation of material deposited on the floor from ceiling drippings. Stalagmites may be composed of lava, minerals, peat, pitch, mud, sand, sinter and amberat (crystallized urine of pack rats).  

*² Stalactite - The corresponding formation hanging down from the ceiling of a cave is a stalactite and if stalactites (the ceiling formations) grow long enough to connect with stalagmites on the floor, they form a column. 

Stalacite just above the Shivling

In the above two words, Mnemonics have been developed for which word refers to which type of formation; one is that stalactite has a C for "ceiling", and stalagmite has a G for "ground". 

*How to Reach:*

*(NOTE: Permissions are required from related departments)* 

Route #1. Dandeli to Kulgi 12.5 kms. Turn right at Kulgi to Phansoli 3.5 kms. Turn left at Phansoli to Kavale about 8 kms rough motorable road. From the parking you have to descend 375 steps to reach the Kavala caves. The Forest Department at Dandeli organizes safari cum trek here around the year (except monsoons) at a cost against the jeeps & guides. Kindly contact them for more information.

Route #2. Dandeli to Ayappa Temple Ambikanagar via Kulgi 17.5 kms. Turn right towards Kalinadi Nagjhari Hydroelectric Power Plant about 7 kms. Trek uphill (approx 2 kms / 975 steps / 45 minutes) – This route is opened strictly during Shivratri. Please contact the related authorities for more information.

*MOST IMPORTANT: Stalagmites should normally not be touched, since the rock buildup is formed by minerals precipitating out of the water solution onto the existing surface; skin oils can alter the surface tension where the mineral water clings or flows, thus affecting the growth of the formation. Oils and dirt from human contact can also stain the formation and change its color permanently.*

*Even if you do not believe in Geology, please do not touch the Shivling and disturb its sanctity. You have reached enough close to it – appreciate it & offer your prayers. Also, please do not decorate the Shivling with flowers or burn incense sticks & lamps. You can do all that outside the cave at the temple. The human heat during the crowded Shivratri yatra could already be affecting the cave and the Shivling – Think rationally* 

Deep inside the cave beyond the Shivling

Posing just outside the cave while coming out of it