The Kalyana Mantapa where Shiva married Parvathi

There are scores of marriage halls or kalyana mantapas all over India where all kinds of marriage takes place. Each marriage is an event where two people come together for life. ‘However, there is one kalyana mantapa, perhaps the only one in India, where a God married a Goddess.

The kalyana mantapa exists today but over centuries the structure has transformed itself into a temple where the deities are those very Gods who got married.

This place is Sogal, which is a very beautiful picnic spot in Belgaum district of Karnataka. Sogal is about 75 kms from Belgaum, its district headquarters and 25 kms from Bailongal, a big town in Belgaum district.

It is at the top of the beautiful hill that Shiva wooed and married Parvathi. The place where their marriage took place was a Kalyana Mantapa. It remained so for thousands of  years before the Rashtrakutas came on the scene.

The Rashtrakutas made Manyakheta or Malkhed their capital. Manyakheta is today in Gulbarga district and it is holy to Madhwas as it has the Brindavan of Teekachar or Jaya Theertha and fifteen other Madhwa saints.   

The Rashkrakutas built temples all over their Kingdom and since Belgaum and of course Sogal too came under them, there are Rashkrakuta structures here too.

The Someshwara Temple on the top of the magnificent hill here is the very place where Shiva married Parvathi.  It was during the Rashkrakuta period that this structure was enlarged and the temple they built came to known as Someshwara Temple.

The Someshwara Temple is a landmark structure here and the temple still has an old statue of  Panchanana Shiva and Parvathi.

Shiva has a basinga and other ornaments that is worn during a wedding on his person.

The astadikpalakas surround the divine couple. There are carvings of other Gods such as Indra, Agni, Yama and Ishanya.

The place was known for religious activities during the ancient ages. There is local legend that says even tigers came here and stopped by to listen to the religious discourse and preachings.

Sogal is believed to have got its name from Sugola Rishi, who lived in the area.

There is a ruined fort to the east of the hill. This place is popularly known as Kadambarayan Kote-a reminder to the Kadamba Kings who once ruled the region before the Rashtrakutas. Nearby is the temple is the Ajjappana and a stone shrine to the Sun and Moon Gods.

Sogal is now a popular tourist destination and it offers a lot of adventure sports. The Sogal falls is breathtaking as is the climb to the top of the hill.

The temple where Parvathi appears in dreams

One of the most enchanting spots in Kolar district, Avani has a hoary past. It has several temples of antiquity and all of them have their own tales to relate. However, the temple I am talking about is the Seetha Parvathi Temple atop a hillock in Avani.

Avani is just 10 kms from Mulabagilu and 16 kms from Kolar Gold Fields. It is located in Kolar district and it is easily approachable from Bangalore.

I have visited Avani several times and the Seetha Parvathi Temple has never ceased to amaze. I have also guided several off my friends towards this temple. Almost all of my friends who went there have spoken about the beauty of Avani and the history associated with it.

Several women who have gone there said they had experienced some divinity at the temple of Seetha-Parvathi. Some of my friends who did not have a child for many years, were blessed with children after they prayed at this temple.

I am penning down the legend of the temple as it was narrated to me by the priest and also several locals of Avani. I hope it can help somebody. So here goes the story.

The temple of Seetha Parvathi goes back to the times of the Ramayana.

Seetha comes here when she is pregnant  Rama had asked Seetha to be taken away from Ayodhya after a washerman comments on the chastity of Seetha. The washerman is overheard telling his wife that he is not Rama to forgive his wife for staying with a man.

Rama is anguished by the remark and asks Lakshmana to take away Seetha from the kingdom. In course of her travels, Seetha comes to Avani where Valmiki has his ashrama.

Valmiki asks Seetha to stay back and she agrees. Seetha makes one of the case here her home. (This cave can still be seen today). Seetha worships Parvathi daily. She prays for the well-being of her unborn children and even Rama.

The temple of Seetha Parvathi is atop the hillock. Locals and several of my friends have vouched for the fact that Goddess Parvathi can be felt here.  The priest and the locals say that the cave in Valmiki ashrama, which also has the temple nearby, has medicinal properties.

Well, coming back to the story. Couples who want a child should come here and bathe at the small pond on the top of the hillock called Dahushkodi. Legend has it that Lakshmana shot an arrow here and water sprung up.

Women are expected to bathe here without changing clothes. She should then carry a coconut which will be given by the priest to the temple. Before reaching the temple, they have to go through some caves.

When the woman reaches the garba gudi, she starts feeling sleepy and she falls asleep near the shrine. My friends tell me that their wives dreamt of Parvathi when they fell asleep here. All the women told their husbands that they saw a woman with ornaments and articles which a pregnant woman has or a woman who has delivered has.

Months after  such dreams, the women delivered. This story told here is one of faith and devotion. There is nothing more than getting the blessing of God. The fruits of devotion will always come, however late.

Please find time to visit the time and also talk to the priest of the Seetha Parvathi Temple and the  locals of Avani. Then decide if you want to go through the experience or not.