Taayi Bhuvaneshwari Temple (The abode of Kannada Maate)
In the entire Karnataka, Bhuvanagiri is the only place where a temple is devoted to Kannada Mate Bhuvaneshwari Devi. The temple of three centuries old is situated in the foothills of Bhuvanagiri which can be reached after 350 steps. Bhuvanagiri located in the Siddapur taluk is surrounded by lush greenery, and Bhuvaneshwari temple makes an admirable place for nature as well as spiritual enthusiasts. The goddess Bhuvaneshwari Devi is worshipped on all the days with complete rituals and chanting of mantras.
The temple has a rich historical significance which was an idea of Kadamba rulers to build the temple of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, but they couldn’t venture out. In 1692, the last ruler Basavendra of Bilagi dynasty constructed the Bhuvaneshwari Devi temple in Bhuvanagiri that uplifts the Kannada Language and deity of Kannadigas. The area of Bhuvanagiri is mostly populated by Havyak community and people belonging to that community takes care of all the divine activities of the temple.
Bhuvanam means Universe and Easwari is Ruler. Goddess Bhuvaneswari is the Universal Mother and Ruler of the Universe. Her Bheeja is `HREEM’ and she resides in the Manidveepam – a fort. She has four hands, two of which bless the devotees while the other two holds the noose to draw the devotee closer to her and angusam to rid the devotee of their sufferings. She is one of the Dasa Maha Vidyas while the others are Kali, Tara, Shodasi, Tripurabhairavi, Cinnamastha, Dhumavati, Bagalamuki, Rajamathangi and Kamalathmika. It is believed that the 10 incarnations (Dashavatara) of Lord Vishnu emerged from the 10 fingernails of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. It is said that one eye of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari is regarded as Raja Mathangi, who bestows prosperity and erudition while the other eye is that of Goddess Bhuvaneswari is Varahi- the Commander-in-chief of the celestial army, who protects devotees from all evil.”According to elders of the place, though there is an idol of Bhuvaneshwari Devi installed by Vijayanagar rulers in the Virupaksha temple in Hampi, Bhuvanagiri is the only place in the State where Bhuvaneshwari Mate has a temple of her own.
