Yana caves - Unsual rock formation and caves in North Karnataka

Yana: Nestled in Sahyadri mountain range of western ghats, surrounded by forest near Kumta - Uttar Kannada lies this unusual karst rock formation called Yana rocks and a cave underneath. About 60 kms from Karwar port, 40 kms from Sirsi and 31 kms from Kumta these rocky sentinels of Yana are a tourist attraction today, reached by a small hike of 1.5 kms in scenic and evergreen forest from Kumta side or 3 kms from side of Sirsi. Yana shot to fame after being portrayed in Kannada movie "Nammoora Mandara Hoove".

Bhairaveshwara Shikhara

Mohini Shikhara

Though there are total of over 60 rock formation in the entire region but nothing huge as compared to two massive rock outcrop known as Bhairaveshwara Shikhara & Mohini Shikhara. Bhairaveshwara shikhara is around 390 ft in height while Mohini Shikhara is smaller at 300 ft. Yana is also a pilgrimage center because of cave temple below Bhairaveshwara hillock where a "Linga" has been formed due to water drips from the roof deep inside the cavernous sanctum sanctorum. There is also a temple of Chandrika - an incarnation of Goddess Durga as they say Linga cannot be alone, Shiva cannot be without his Shakti. Interesting thing is that water which trickles from the roof of the cave on the naturally formed Linga emerges as a small stream close by called "Chandihole", this stream eventually merges into river Aghanashini at Uppinapattana. 

Today at Yana, an annual festival is held during Shivratri and large number of devotees visit this place. They take bath in Danditirtha - a stream close by and worship Shiva Linga. They collect holy water and carry it to Gokarna to perform Maha-Mastakabhisheka of Mahabaleshwara. There is a saying in Kannada that on Shivratri day devotees rush to Gokarna for worship whereas people of that town travel to Yana  for the same purpose.

As with all wonders of nature, Yana also gets a mention in mythology and the story goes that demon king "Bhasmasura"by austere penance obtained a boon from Lord Shiva that whenever Bhasmasura placed his hand over anyone's head, The person would burn and turn into ashes. In order to test his powers, He wanted to place his hand on his patron Lord Shiva's head. This unnerved Lord Shiva who decided to leave his heavenly abode and move to earth and pleaded Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu appears to demon king in form of alluring Mohini, charming him so completely that demon king proposes to her. Mohini agrees on one condition that he would have to take part in dance with her and match her steps. The demon king agrees and as dance progresses, he forgets his boon. Mohini touches her head and Bhasmasura follows suit and immediately turns into ashes. The intensity of the blast was so huge that limestone formations in Yana were blackened and black soil around the rock formations in the area are cited as proof of the legend. This dramatic tale makes a great fodder for Karnataka's dance-drama form, "Yakshagana"

We started quite early for our one day excursions to Mirjan fort, Yana,Sirsi and Banavasi temple. After our stop at Mirjan fort, our car zipped to our next destination - Yana caves, The scorching sun and humidity of March had already started taking a toll even though it was early afternoon. As we took a detour from Ankola - Kumta road, the forest cover grew thicker and traffic became negligible. The area is known for its biodiversity and leopards are known to be slinking around this forest region.

We were welcomed by huge sign board in Kannada as we enter the parking area. From here one has to do a 2 kms hike which includes 0.5 kms of climbing steps to reach the two jagged peaks. 

There is only one shop in the parking area for everything you need, for the short excursion. As we started our hike through the forest, the humidity was too intense and we were sweating profusely in no time. We walked slowly on the ascending muddy trail enjoying the silence in the forest, Silence broken at times by visitors coming from Yana or someone like us visiting Yana. The forest dept have made adequate sitting arrangements by putting benches at short distance for people who can't take the hike at one go.

Our walk was interrupted by a beautiful overflowing stream with clean cold water, that it was just too tempting to not to wet our feet in the flowing stream. On our way we passed through funnel shaped rock open on one side, small in size as compared to the two giants that we were about to reach, but nevertheless it was huge.

As the forest trail of 1.5 kms ended, what awaited now was 0.5 kms of stairs to climb. At the entrance is a small temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha which was closed.

stairs to heaven 

As we climbed higher we got the first glimpse of Mohini shikhara. The unusual rock formation was massive and sight to behold. As we completed our climb, there it was the imposing peak of Bhairaveshwara !! For a few minutes we simply stood and stared up in amazement. What a sight !! What a size !! 

As one adores the size of the unique rock formation, one cannot miss the cluster of honeycombs right above as one enters the temple below the shikhara. Not one or two but more than a dozen honeycombs hover above.

We pay respect to the natural Lingam and Goddess Chandrika and proceed to circumambulate the rock. Proper route with steps have been made by local administration to enter the cave. As we moved in the cave, unlike eerie of silence it was welcoming. As we made our way to the heart of the cave through the narrow gorge, we could see the bat guano around. As we look up at the sky the sheer enormity of the massif made us speechless. Some light penetrated in the cave from the steep sides of the rock. 

The path opens in the forest as we make our way out through the steep and narrow incline, we walk slowly, reveling in the silence. Once outside we were reminded of the scorching sun as our feet burned on the hot pavement which made us run for the shade and for our shoes outside the temple.

Two tiny shops outside the cave temple complex selling ice cream candies gave us welcome respite from the summer heat. With one last glance at the truly magnanimous monoliths of Yana we made our way back to car parking area only to head to our next destination at Sirsi. There is a beautiful waterfall called Vibhuti around 8 kms from Yana which we didn't visit but can be included during the trip to Yana. Also if one is coming from Sirsi then Unchalli falls is yet another not to be missed destination enroute.

Information: Yana can be reached from Sirsi via Kumta road, deviation towards Hegadekatte - Devanalli - Yana (3 kms hike). From Kumta one can take a cab to Yana or for a budget traveller there are 3 buses plying from Kumta towards Yana. The best season to visit would be immediately after rains but note that the area is infested with leeches so need to take proper precautions. There are no eateries in the area so pack food before you start the trip. 

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Some gangster members of my group without whom this trip wouldn't have been possible nor I would have got the opportunity to write this blog.

Damsel Gangster members

Gangsters on prowl

Kingpin of the trip :-)