Yana Caves is indeed a popular tourist destination located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India. The Yana Caves are known for their unique limestone rock formations and are situated in the Sahyadri Range of the Western Ghats. There is a saying in Kannada ” Sokkiddavanu Yanakke, Rokka iddavanu Gokarnakke”. That mean one who seeks adventure goes to Yana and the one who has money goes to Gokarna.
How to reach Yana Caves:
Yana is a tourist site located in the forest of the Katgal Range. It is a part of the Malenadu region in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India. There are two methods to reach Yana. One is along the Kumta-Sirsi Highway, followed by a two-kilometer trek. Other is from Sirsi – Ankola Road, followed by a 1 kilometre trek. Below are few transportation methods you can follow to travel to Yana.
Location: Yana Caves, Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka
Timings: 8 am to 6 pm. Open all 365 days of a year.
Entry Fee: 10 INR per person (As of December 2023). A good parking lot and a nominal parking fee for vehicles.
By Air:The nearest airport to Yana is Hubballi Airport (HBX), which is approximately 135 km away. Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) is 232 kilometres distant. To go from these airports to the destination, you can rent a taxi.
By Train: The nearest station to Yana is Kumta Railway Station (KT), which is around 30 kilometres distant. It is a grade C station in the Konkan Railway zone. Trains arrive at this station from important cities such as Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Karwar, and Madgaon. From the railway station, one can travel by cab or bus.
By Road: Yana is located just 30 kilometres from Kumta and 38 km from Sirsi. The road connecting the two cities is in decent condition. There are few buses that travel from these places to Yana. On the other hand, if you have your own vehicle, reaching Yana Caves is not difficult at all.
How did we Travel: Since Honnavara is Sneha’s hometown, we started there in the morning, and it was only an hour drive to Yana by our car.
An appropriate site for adventurers and Lord Shiva devotees
Yana caves provides both adventure and devotion for devotees of Lord Shiva. If you take the Kumta-Sirsi road, you will have to trek for around 2 kilometers. The walk is medium-level and may be finished within half an hour. However, if you take the Ankola-Sirsi Road, the trek is only one kilometer long. Both routes end at the bottom of Bhairaveshwara Shikara. Lord Shiva lives in Yana as Bhairaveshwara.
History of Yana and the legend Bhasmasura
Bhasmasura, a demon who had lured Shiva with penance, approached Shiva and sought for a boon. The person whose head he places his hands on will turn to ashes. Shiva agrees and says Tathaastu. Then Bhasmasura rushes to try his boon on Shiva himself. Shiva, terrified, proceeded to seek Vishnu’s help. Agreeing, Vishnu takes on the shape of Mohini, a lovely woman, and arrives at this location. Bhasmasura becomes engrossed with Mohini’s charisma.
Mohini then challenges Bhasmasura to dance alongside her and imitate her. To impress Mohini, Bhasmasura mimics her movements. Mohini gently and thoughtfully rests her palm on her head. The demon unknowingly makes the identical move and is reduced to ashes as per the boon. This catastrophe was so violent that the limestone present there not only converted to ashes, but also exploded from the ground to the sky. People call it Bhasma (Ash) because the soil here is black in colour.
Two “Shikharas” are the true natural wonders
The Mohini Bhasmasura event resulted in the formation of two limestone Shikaras (summits). One is the “Mohini Shikhara” and the other is the “Bhairaveshwara Shikhara“. Both of them appear to have risen from the land as volcanoes and then frozen.
The Mohini Shikhara is 90 metres tall. A little entrance at the bottom of the peak allows visitors to take a tour around the peak. Similarly, the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara is 120 metres tall. It, too, has a passage that allows visitors to tour the peak. Both appear massive, and what distinguishes them is their formation. There are many bats and honey bee combs on these cliffs.
Home of centuries-old Bhairaveshwara
Lord Shiva in Yana is known as Bhairaveshwara. The lingam present here is supposed to be Swayam Bhoo (Self Incarnated) and is centuries old. A temple is constructed at the base of the Bhairaweshwara Shikara. The lingam here is worshipped daily with great devotion. Shivaratri is celebrated here with great grandeur for 10 days. More than 10 thousand pilgrims join here to witness the festival.
Do’s and Dont’s
- Yana is located in a protected forest area, hence there are no homestays or lodges within the trekking zones. However, there are adequate seats and a rest area. Toilet facilities are also available.
- Visitors must pay a small cost for all plastic objects such as bottles, handbags, and eatery covers for food items at the checkpoint when entry tickets are issued. The cash will be repaid if they bring it back without polluting.
- Monkeys are abundant in forests since they are their native environment. They take the food or precious equipment from your hands. One must be extremely careful when dealing with those creatures.
- Carry adequate water with you when trekking. Shops selling water, cold drinks, juices, and snacks are available at both the top and bottom of the Yana Caves.
- A large number of sign boards with messages about saving the forest and keeping the area clean have been installed. It is the primary duty of tourists to obey them and preserve nature for future generations.
To summarise, a visit to Yana Caves provides a harmonious combination of geological magnificence, cultural richness, and spiritual depth. It is a place where you can marvel at the wonders of the Earth, contemplate on the passing of time, and find serenity in the embrace of nature. Whether you are an explorer, a history buff, or a seeker of spiritual understanding, Yana Caves will leave an unforgettable impression on your heart and mind, making it a location to treasure and revisit.
You might like to read “Places to visit in Uttara Kannada” as well.
1 comment
it is a best and beautiful place in the world