Gavimatha

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Gavimatha (गावीमठ) is a sacred place with temples of Lord Shiva in Chaluvanahalli, Banavara Hobli, Arasikere Taluk, Hassan District, Karnataka, India.

Variants

• Kopabala (कोपबल) (मैसूर) (AS, p.235)
• Gavimatha (गावीमठ) = Kopavala कोपबल (AS, p.284)
• Gavimata

History

Gavimata has a hill view and many devotees from all over Arasikere visit here. There is a "Samadhi" of the Saint/ Sharana Sidmallappa. It is said that Sidmallappa buried himself alive (Jeevantha Haikya in Kannada) here in the 19th century in offering to Lord Shiva. This place has a school which is run by the Trust of Gavimata. It also has a dark and mysterious cave called "Kallara Gavi" meaning Robber's cave.

Ashoka's Minor Rock Edicts

• Palkigundu and Gavimath, Koppal district, Karnataka
• Suvarnagiri (Kanakagiri), Koppal district, Karnataka

Palkigundu and Gavimath, Koppal

Palkigundu and Gavimath near Koppal in Karnataka are two locations where inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka (304–232 BCE) were found. These inscriptions represent some of India's oldest written records, and are part of Ashoka's Minor Rock Edicts. Jain monks used to meditate there. The Palkigundu and Gavimath edicts are in Prakrit, written in Brahmi script. A Kannada translation of the inscriptions is available.

At Palkigundu (palanquin rock), two huge boulders are topped with a flat-shaped rock forming a canopy. Rough steps lead to the top of the boulders, where a 2,300-year-old inscription is located. Similar edicts have been found in 17 places in India.

About 2.5 km to the southeast of Palkigundu, at Gavimath, there is another rock inscription, also an edict from Ashoka. The Gavimath inscription is situated on a boulder in a sheltered place with a rock canopy. Jain monks used both Gavimath and Palkigundu as locations to meditate.

Ashoka Edicts at Palkigundu: The rock edicts written in Brahmi script, talk about Ashoka becoming closer to the Sangha and becoming more ardent. Further it says any person, small or big, can achieve something if they put the effort.

कोपबल

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ...कोपबल (मैसूर) (AS, p.235) इस स्थान के निकट गावीमठ में अशोक की एक लघु धर्मलिपि चट्टान पर उत्कीर्ण कुछ ही वर्ष पूर्व प्राप्त हुई थी.