Kalasa (Kannada: ಕಳಸ) is a holy temple-town located in Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka. Kalasa is home to the Kalaseshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kalasa lies 92 Kilometres South-west of Chickmagalur and is located on the banks of the Bhadra River.
Kalasa View
About Kalasa :
Kalasa is a small town located on the banks of Bhadra River in Mudigere taluk of Chickmagalur district in Karnataka. The Temple town, Kalasa is home to the Sri Kalaseshwara Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kalasa is located at a distance of 92 Km South-west of Chickmagalur, the district head quarters of Chikmagalur district.
Situated in the heart of the Western Ghats in Chikmagalur, Kalasa enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year although summers are slightly hot.
In the town of Kalasa, Chickmagalur district, Karnataka, lies the holy temple Kalaseshwara dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kalasa is located on the banks of the Bhadra River, about 92 Kilometres South-west of Chickmagalur.
Kalasa
Attractions of Kalasa In Karnataka :
The significance of Kalasa is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. During the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvathi in Varanasi there was a shift of the earth’s rotation because of all Gods and Goddesses. To restore the balance Sage Agasthya was sent to South.
He resided in Kalasa from where he watched the wedding. Hence the Girija Kalyana (marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvathi) is celebrated to commemorate in Kalasa every year. In Skanda Dwaya it is believed that Sage Vasishta had lived in a hermitage near Kalasa.
Kalasa means pot with sacred water, every temple should have a Kalasa placed on the top according to the Hindu Achitecture. In the piligrimage to the Western Ghats Kalasa is the first place to visit is the Kalaseshwara temple in Kalasa followed by Horanadu and Sringeri, (in one day) Murdeshwar, Udupi, Dharmastala.
Legend :
According to the legend, the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvathi in Varanasi caused a change in the Earth’s rotation because of the crowd of all Gods and Goddesses. Lord Shiva requested sage Agastya to restore the balance of earth by traveling towards the south.
Sage Agasthya expressed his wish to witness the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvathi. Lord Shiva assured to grant divine vision to the sage, which would enable him to witness the wedding from any part of the world.
Sage Agasthya then traveled towards the south and resided in Kalasa from where he watched the wedding of Lord Shiva. The Girija Kalyana is celebrated in the temple of Kalasa every year to honor this tradition.
Pancha Theerthas/Thirthas :
Kalasa has five major water bodies religiously called Pancha Theerthas. They are:
Vasishta Theertha dedicated to Sage Vasishta
Naga Theertha dedicated to the Snake God, attributable to Lord Shiva.
Koti Theertha signifies that a pilgrimage to this place is equivalent to visiting a Crore Holy Waters.
Rudra Theertha dedicated to Lord Rudra (Shiva)
Amba Theertha dedicated to Goddess Parvati.
Festivals at Kalasa :
Girija Kalyana : is celebrated very elaborately in Kalasa owing to the Mythology that Sage Vashista wanted to watch the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvathi. It starts amavasya(new moon) to harihara hunnime(full moon).
Kalasa Car Festival : is the Rathotsava, the car festival where the Utsava Murthy (Procession Idol) taken in a procession throughout the town annually
Venkataramana Swamy Temple Car Festival : The Procession Idol of Venkataramana Swamy is taken out similar to the Kalasa Car Festival.
Kalasa largely has an agricultural economy and heavily depends on the Bhadra river to meet its water needs. Chief produces include a variety of spices, Coffee, and Ayurvedic medicine. Situated in the heart of the Western Ghats, Kalasa enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year although summers are slightly hot.
Silent Valley Resort :
The resort is located Between Kalsa and Kuduremukh at eastern slopes of Western Ghats of Karnataka. It is 4 kms. from Kalsa on Kuduremukh Road, Chikamagalur Dist. Karnataka, India. Ph.08263 274801/02.
How to reach :
After driving to Mysore one has to take the route to Ooty.
By Road : From Bangalore 310kms, from Hassan 180kms, Belur 36kms
Nearest Town : Horanadu 10kms
Nearest Railway : Mangalore Railway Station
Nearest Airport : Mangalore Airport
Local legends state that a pilgrimage to Kalasa brings greater religious merit than a visit to Varanasi. The pilgrim to arrive here will visit Kalaseshwara temple and offer prayer to Lord Kalaseshwara.
Kalasa mainly has an agricultural economy and heavily depends on the River Bhadra to meet its water needs. Chief agricultural produces include a variety of spices, Coffee, and Ayurvedic medicine.
