Shivagange

Shivagange is a hill rising above 4,000 feet about 58 km from Bengaluru, revered as a Kashi of the South for its many Shiva shrines. Its name comes from the shape of the peak, which resembles a lingam, and from a spring called Ganga that flows on it. Pilgrims believe that climbing to the top earns as much merit as a visit to the Ganges.

The path is steep, with narrow rock-cut stretches where ropes and chains help climbers, and passes rocks likened to a bull's head, an elephant trunk and a tortoise shell. Near the summit the Gangadhareshwara temple has a monolithic Nandi more than 15 feet tall, and its lingam is said to change colour with the moon. Other sacred spots include Olakal Theertha, with a submerged lingam and water thought to heal, and Patalaganga. At Maha Shivaratri, ghee offered on the lingam is said to turn to butter, and at the Rathotsava devotees haul the chariot of Gavi Gangadhareshwara.