Avani, Kolar

Most Indians know that Ramayana is an ancient epic of our glorious country that has influenced our way of life for many centuries till date. Numerous tales are associated with this epic connecting numerous places all over India, starting from Ayodhya and ending at Lanka. One such place is Avani in Kolar district that takes us back in time to the era of Ramayana.

The tale associated with Avani is fascinating and connects today’s Kali Yuga to Treta Yuga when the great epic Ramayana concluded. People may call Ramayana a myth but for the believers, Avani is the very place where the Gods had set their foot upon. Today, it is a popular pilgrimage site for the Sita Devi temple on the summit of the betta (hillock) and the Ramalingeshwara temple situated at the base of the betta.

Avani betta at a distance and its reflection in the pond. — Avani Betta

Where is Avani?

Avani is a small town tucked away near Kolar, about 100 kms from Bangalore. Not many have heard about Avani. It is a beautiful small town, some 10 kms from Kolar Gold Fields and about 30 kms from Kolar.

Directions to Avani: Take NH 75 from Bangalore to reach Kolar which is around 100 kms away. Continue on the same highway for about 30 kms from Kolar to reach the Avani Road. Avani is about 10 kms from this diversion. Totally, it takes around 2 hours to reach Avani from Bangalore. Roads are in great shape all the way from Bangalore to Avani.

Devi Sita Temple Timings: 7 am to 7:30 pm

Entry fee: Free

Parking: Near the entrance of the betta and is free

Time taken to hike: Around 45 minutes. It can get really hot during the day, so it is advisable to go early in the mornings.

Ramayana and Avani

Avani – Devi Sita’s Refuge

After being exiled from Ayodhya, Devi Sita takes refuge with Maharshi Valmiki in Avani where she gives birth to her twins, Lav and Kush. It is the very place where the twins grow up under the tutelage of Maharshi Valmiki on a small hillock nearby.

An entrance to the betta from the village below. — The entrance to Avani betta

Lord Rama’s Ashwamedha Yagna

Lord Rama decides to conduct the Ashwamedha yagna to ascertain his sovereignty. It is a ritual where a sacrificial horse is left to wander outside the kingdom at its own free will. The land, wherever the horse travels, is annexed by the King unless the other rival king decides not to surrender, captures the horse and wages a war.

During such a yagna, the horse does not return from Avani where it is captured by Lord Rama’s adolescent twins.

The ancient steps leading up the Avani betta — The steps leading up the hill

Stairs at Avani betta — The steps leading up the hill

Devi Sita Returns to Earth

When Lord Rama comes to Avani to wage a war, he finds his long lost twins and his wife. Overjoyed, he begs Sita for forgiveness and pleads her to return to Ayodhya. However, Sita on seeing her sons reunited with their father, decides to go back to mother Earth from where she was found and enters the earth right on this hillock (bhoomi pravesh).

‘Avani’ means earth and now you know how this place got its beautiful name 🙂

Stone structures and boulders on top of the hill at Avani — The temples and stone structures on top of the hill

Sita devi temple at the summit with a man sitting outside the temple near the stairs — Sita Devi temple at the summit

Sita Devi Temple at Avani betta — Sita Devi temple at the summit

The hike to the top is an easy one with stairs at intervals and takes about 30-45 minutes. The route is dotted with huge boulders sitting precariously but firmly on the slopes of the hillock. The route is quite scenic too and provides a panoramic view of Avani below. There are no food and water arrangements on the betta. So it is advisable to carry your own water bottles and snacks as needed.

On the Avani betta — Avani from the betta

Views from the Avani betta — Avani from the betta

Ramalingeshwara Temple @ Avani

While at Avani, do not forget to pay a visit to the lovely Ramalingeshwara temple complex as well. It is right in Avani next to the betta and houses a group of ancient Shiva temples, popularly known as the Ramalingeshwara temple. Click here to know more about the temple history and its significance.

Where is Avani?