RUDRAKSHI MANTAPA GAVI

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

One of the caves at –>Ulvi is called Rudrakshi Mantapa Gavi (HIREMATH, P 1983b: 6) or Bajane Mandab Gufa (Thomas Matthalm 2007.02.01 after a local guide) and attracts pilgrims taking -darshan- or view (note 1). ETYMOLOGY: The Sanskrit -rudra- is a face (more often than not implying that of Shiva) but -rudrakshi- are the globular seeds of the Rudrakshya tree (Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb.), dark reddish brown in colour, with a curiously -wrinkled- surface (not unlike walnuts but smaller and more densly packed). There is hardly any well-dressed saddhu, even if stark naked, without one single or a full necklace of rudrakshi beads on a string. The Kannada (?) noun -mantapa- (HIREMATH, P 1983b: 4) is a version of the Sanskrit -mandapam“ that originally meant a pillared monastic assembly hall or porch (LAW, B C 1976: 194).SITUATION: After seeing the Cow Cave [i.e. –>Akala Gavi] if we climb down [the iron ladder ascending to the perched cave entrance] … and proceed further, there is what is poplarly known as Rudrakshi Mantapa (HIREMATH, P 1983b: 6). POSITION 2007: WGS84 (unspecified precision error) N14°59'44.77”: E74°31'55.66” (Matthalm, T. 2007.02.01 12-channel GPS estimation). POSITION 2: N14°59'44.64”: E74°31'56.70” (WGS84 as if ±0.3 m, T. Matthalm 2008 April, estimation after Google Earth). CAVE DESCRIPTION: This is a small cave. The stones on the ceiling inside have assumed the shape of Rudrakshi beads [note 2]. … The spacious rock overhead the Rudrakshi beads appear to have stuck up. [keyword: lithophone] If we strike the rock we here the sounds of musical instruments (HIREMATH, P 1983b: 6). CULTURAL HISTORY - religious folklore: In this cave it is said that Shivasharanas held their pooja [ritual, hocus pocus]. It is also believed that the strings of rudrakshi they had kept here that day have figured out in stone (HIREMATH, P 1983b: 6).larly known as Rudrakshi Mantapa (HIREMATH, P 1983b: 6). POSITION 2007: WGS84 (unspecified precision error) N14°59'44.77”: E74°31'55.66” (Matthalm, T. 2007.02.01 12-channel GPS estimation). POSITION 2: N14°59'44.64”: E74°31'56.70” (WGS84 as if ±0.3 m, T. Matthalm 2008 April, estimation after Google Earth). CAVE DESCRIPTION: This is a small cave. The stones on the ceiling inside have assumed the shape of Rudrakshi beads [note 2]. … The spacious rock overhead the Rudrakshi beads appear to have stuck up. [keyword: lithophone] If we strike the rock we here the sounds of musical instruments (HIREMATH, P 1983b: 6). CULTURAL HISTORY - religious folklore: In this cave it is said that Shivasharanas held their pooja [ritual, hocus pocus]. It is also believed that the strings of rudrakshi they had kept here that day have figured out in stone (HIREMATH, P 1983b: 6).