Yana

In my visit to the state of Karnataka,after spending time at Karwar and Murdeshwar on our return journey via Belgum, there was a surprise destination waiting for us.About 60 kms from karwar and 40 kms from Sirsi, there is a small forest named Yana. There are two huge rock formations at the top of the hills which are a part of Sahyadri hill ranges in Karnataka.
As we reach the foot of the hills, we have to park our vehicles in the parking lot provided by the KPTDC and buy a ticket to visit the place and then, starts your enchanting short trek up the hill to the rock formations. As you stroll through a narrow natural path, you are in the middle of the forest on both the sides. Tall evergreen trees line both the sides of the path, along with the creepers and small flowering shrubs. If you can take a break off and on, you can also see some lovely birds and butterflies.As you walk, you can hear the gurgling and bubbling of a brook by your side all the while till you reach the top.

The walk up the hill is refreshing and enjoyable if you are an enthusiastic trekker but a word of caution for those who are old and cannot walk uphill, it is better to be careful and avoid climbing.
The two rock formations are called as the Bhairavashwara shikara and mohini shikahra, of which the former is 120 meters high and the later is 90 meters high.They are made up of dark black limestone.Bhairaveshwara Shikhara, there is 3 metres (9.8 ft) wide opening in the rock face that leads in to a cave. Within the cave, there is a bronze statue of Chandika, an incarnation of the goddess Durga. The cave has a swayambu ("self manifested") Shiva Linga ("symbol of Shiva") over which spring water trickles from the roof of the tunnel overhead. Emerging as a small stream, called the Chandihole, it eventually merges with the Aghanashini River at Uppinapattana. Devotees from among the local people see the emergence of the river as Gangodbhava (emerging Ganges)
The Shivlanga formation can be explained by geological phenomenon of STALACTITE and STALAGMITE formation which is the the roof and the floor of a cave formed by dripping limestone

There is also a mythological story about these Yana Rocks.It is said that Bhasmasura once after a very difficult penance got a boon from Lord Shiva that when he places his hand over anybody's head that person will be converted into ashes in seconds.So Bhasmasura wanted to test his powers by placing his hand over the lord himself.So Lord Shiva had to run for his life and so he summoned Lord vishnu for help,who took the disguise of a dancer called Mohini,and Bhasmasura was instantly infatuated by her. He agreed for a dance challenge with her. She ,very cleverly in her dance moves told Bhasmasura to put his hand over his head and in an instant Bhasmasura was converted to ashes True of not but ,a clever story indeed.
We thoroughly enjoyed the trek up and at the top, had wonderfully and refreshingly cool coconut water and started our trek down.Yana is certainly a must visit for all of those who are nature lovers ,want to know the geological reasons behind these natural phenomenon and a lovely mythological tale for enjoyment on the way up.