Shivagange
Shivagange is a mountain peak with a height of 1,368 metres and Hindu pilgrimage center And Also historically, it was an Ancient Jain site during the rule of The Hoysala and Ganga Dynasty. located near Dobbaspet, in Bengaluru Rural district, India. It is 25 km from the town of Tumakuru and 54 km from Bengaluru. The sacred mountain is shaped as a shivalinga and a spring flows near locally called "Ganga", thereby giving the place its name. It is also known as Dakshina Kashi and has various temples such as Gangadhareshwara temple, Sri Honnammadevi Temple, Olakal Teertha, Nandi Statue, Patalagang Sharadambe temple and several theerthas such as Agasthya theertha, Kanva theertha, Kapila theertha, Pathala Gange.
The hill is also historically significant as the place where Hoysala queen Shantala Devi is believed to have undertaken the Jain ritual of Sallekhana in 1131 CE, as recorded in an inscription at Chandragiri Hill in Shravanabelagola.
History
Sivaganga is a sacred hill with a height of 4,559 feet above the level of the sea. Its outline appears from the east as a bull, from the west as a Ganesha, from the north as a serpent, and from the south as a linga. The number of steps leading to the top is said to equal the number of yojanas to Benares.Hence this is called Dakshina Kashi. An ascent to the top is considered as a pilgrimage to the holy city.It is says that Before the 12th century, Shivaganga was an important Jain site, with the presence of several Jain monks recorded in inscriptions and local traditions. During the Bhakti movement and subsequent religious shifts, the site gradually came under the influence of other faiths.
Hoysala Queen Shantala Devi is believed to have undertaken the Jain ritual of Sallekhana at Shivagange in 1131 CE. An inscription dated 1131 CE at Chandragiri Hill in Shravanabelagola Clearly records her death through Sallekhana in the presence of Jain acharya "Prabhachandra Siddhantadeva", King Vishnuvardhana, and her mother "Macchikabbe". and Some scholars suggest that her decision was influenced by the mysterious death of her son, increasing political instability, and religious transitions within the Hoysala kingdom during that period.
The puranas give it the name of Kakudgiri. It is mentioned by its present name in the 12th century as one of the distant points to which the Lingayat faith established by Basava, the minister of Bijjala II, king of Kalyana
The hill was fortified during the 16th century by Shivappa Nayaka. These fortifications currently lie in ruins. The founder of Bengaluru, Magadi Kempegowda, also made improvements to the fortifications and kept a portion of his treasure within it.
A month-long cattle fair is held during Sankranthi month every year, which is a market place for bullocks.