Pilgrimage trips in the Western ghats of India
From the earliest times, the mountains have been considered the abode of Gods and revered and worshipped. There are hundreds of shrines and temples built atop the hills and innumerable caves and monuments linked to Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions all over the Western Ghats.
There are over hundred Tirthas (holy places in the vicinity of rivers) and eighty Kshetras (places of pilgrimage) in the Sahyadri range. Tryambakeshwar is located at the source of Godavari near Nasik and contains one of the twelve ancient and sacred Jyotirlingas in India. Ramayana features Panchavati on the banks of Godavari near Nasik where Shri Rama stayed along with Sita and Lakshaman.
River Bhima rises 40 km north of Khandala and at the source of this river is situated another of the twelve famous Jyotirlingas of Bhimashankar. Most of the famous Ashta Vinayaka temples of Maharashtra are located in the Sahyadris - Lenyadri, Siddhatek, Pali, Theur, Morgaon, etc.
River Krishna rises near Mahabaleshwar along with four other rivers - Vena, Kakudmati, Savitri and Gayatri. The Shiva (Mahabaleshwara) temple is about 5 kms from the main bazaar of Mahabaleshwar hill station. There are legends associated with this spot in Mahabaleshwar. Mahatmya Pandharpur situated 40 miles west of Sholapur on the banks of river Bhima also known as Chandra-bhaga is the foremost pilgrimage centre of Maharashtra that houses the famous shrine of Vithoba.
Alandi is situated on the banks of Indrayani river 12 miles north of Pune and has the Samadhi and shrine of the famous Maharashtra saint Jnaneshwar. On the mountain at Jejuri, high up the Karha valley is the temple of Khandoba. Kolhapur is situated near the banks of river Panchaganga and is known for the ancient temple of Goddess Mahalakshmi.
Goa has many ancient Hindu temples spread over at the foot of the Sahyadris. South of Goa there is Sringeri on the left bank of river Tungabhadra where Sri Shankaracharya established his chief monastery.
Baba Budan or Dattatreya Pitha, a laterite cave, considered holy by both Muslims and Hindus is in the Bababudan range. The legend says that the Muslim saint Baba Budan came and settled down here and brought coffee seeds with him from Persia. This was the beginning of coffee crop in India. Close to Chickamagalur, on the tallest peak in the Western Ghats of Karnataka - Mulaianagiri (1,923 m.) is a beautiful Shiva shrine. At the foothill of the Western Ghats at Belur and Halebid near Hassan are the Temples of Channakeshava and Hoysaleshwara with finely executed carved sculptures. These were built during the 12th century and are the finest examples of Hoysala architecture.
North of Udupi, near the base of the Kodachadri hills is the famous temple of Goddess Mookambika at Kollur. Udupi in Dakshina Kannada is famous for Krishna temple founded by Sri Madhavacharya, the great Dvaita philosopher and teacher. Kukke Subramanya temple at the base of the Kumara Parvata is in Dakshina Kannada. River Kaveri rises on the Brahmagiri hill in Kodagu its source is a small pond and there is a shrine to Goddess Kaveri. The place is known as Talakaveri.
The legend of Parasurama is probably based on the lowering of sea level which resulted in the emergence of the coastal strip which is now referred to as Konkan and Malabar. There are few shrines to Lord Parashurama - Pethe Parashuram in Konkan, one shrine in Goa at Painguinim and two in Kerala at Payanur and Thiruvallom.
Sabrimala the famous abode of Lord Ayyappa is situated in thick forested area of the Western Ghats in the upper region of river Pamba in Kerala. The famous ancient temple of Lord Krishna is situated in Guruvayur, about 30 km from Trichur. Kaladi, eight miles east of Alwaye, on the banks of river Periyar is the birth place of Sri Shankaracharya. River Tambraparni arises in the Agasthyamalai hills. After a few kms from its source downstream, it reaches the Papanasam tirtha which is considered a very sacred place. There is a temple of Subramanya at Palni hills on a rocky hill about 450 ft high.
The most famous Buddhist monument in the Sahyadris are the Buddhist caves at Ajanta and Ellora near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Junnar, where the hill fort of Shivneri is situated was an old Buddhist centre and it still has several cells and chapels and believed to be as old as 3rd century B.C.The other important Buddhist caves are at the Bhore or Khandala pass at Karla, Bhaje and Bedse. The Gandhar-Pali caves are located near Mahad junction on Mumbai-Goa highway in the Sahyadris.
Shravanabelagola a famous Jain pilgrimage centre is located 51 km south east of Hassan. There are 14 shrines on Chandragiri hill. Karkala is another Jain pilgrimage centre in the Western Ghats. In Moodabidri is the Savira Khamba Basadi, the most well-known of the 18 Jain temples. Kumbhojgiri, is 35 km away from Kolhapur and has around 24 temples dedicated to Jain Tirthankars within the complex, sacred to both Digambara and Swetambara sects.