Yana

Yana Overview

Yana is a village located in forests of the Kumta, Utttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India which is known for the unusual karst rock formations. It is located in the Sahyadri mountain range of the Western Ghats, about 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Karwar port, 40 kilometres (25 mi) from Sirsi, and 31 kilometres (19 mi) from Kumta. The two unique rock outcrops near the village are a tourist attraction and easily approachable by a small trek through 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi) of thick forests from the nearest road head. Yana is famous for these two massive rock outcrops known as the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara and the Mohini Shikhara ("Shikhara" means "hill"). The huge rocks are composed of solid black, crystalline karst limestone. Bhairaveshwara Shikhara is 120 metres (390 ft) in height, while the Mohini Shikhara, which is smaller, is 90 metres (300 ft) in height. Yana is also well known as a pilgrimage centre because of the cave temple below the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara where a Swayambhu ("self manifested", or "that which is created by its own accord") linga has been formed. Water drips from the roof over the linga, adding to the sanctity of the place. During annual festivities held here during the Shivaratri, a car festival is also held. The place and surrounding hillocks are also known for ever green scenic forest. [A note for locating places around Yana village by GPS: Yana village; Bhairaveshwara shikhara, Yana; Mohini Shikhara, Yana; Yana Rocks, Yana; Yana caves; Yana Parking lot and Vibhooti Falls, on Mattighatta Rd, Achave are all located in close vicinity. However, there is no short road connecting all these places - google map planner by car pulls out a 70 km loop]