Sri Kshetra Ambu Tirtha

During exile Lord Sri Rama, Sita devi & Lakshmana have visited many places. The places related to Lord Sri Rama is numerous in South India and that too in Karnataka. Ambu tirtha is one of these sacred realms that Lord Sri Rama had visited during his exile.

Covered with lush greenery, natural beauty Ambu tirtha is the birthplace or origin of the Sharavathi river. Who has not heard the world-famous name the Jog Falls? It is the second highest waterfall in our country. This river water used for extensively to generate hydroelectricity in our state Karnataka. The birthplace of the Sharavathi River is Ambu tirtha.

Ambu tirtha is near tirthahalli of Shivamogga district in the state of Karnataka. Tirthahalli is 69 km away from Shivamogga town and Ambu tirtha is eighteen kms away from the tirthahalli.

Surrounded by beautiful forests, hills, and nut trees, the Sharavati river originates is like a beautiful bead in the middle of lush green. There is a small, beautiful shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Here the Shivalinga was installed by Lord Sri Rama himself. Therefore, the temple named as the Rameshwar temple. There is a deity of Lord Ganapathi which is close to the Shivalinga. The water of the Sharavathi river rises below the Shivalinga and known as Ambu tirtha.

The water that gushes here, flows out of the sanctum, and fills into a smaller pond next to it. From there again it flows and then fill up into another large pond. From there it drains into a large lake in front of the temple, then enters a nearby nut garden and flows further forward where the river continues its around 130 km long journey to join the Arabian sea. Four km away from Ambu tirtha the river continues plunging into the Achakanya falls.

Visiting the Rameshwara temple and the scared Sharavathi, the silent, solitary, serene environment and the mellow sound of the river which gives mind & soul bliss and spiritual delight. Having bath here is believed to be sacred, one can have bath in the lake. A taste sweet pure water is available only at the smaller pond. The area is thus very picturesque. Likewise, cool, and pleasant. Surrounded by green hills and thick jungles and just admiring the miracle of nature.

History Sri Kshetra Ambu Tirtha

During the exile of Lord Sri Rama, Sita devi and Lakshmana came here, since there is no water for worship, so Lord Sri Rama prays to Lord Varuna and shot an arrow aiming earth due to this water gushes out and flow down like river.

There is another saying that it was here that Lord Sri Rama pierced the earth with his bow and arrow for water to quench the thirst of Sita devi, and hence this place got the name Ambu tirtha. Shara means an arrow. The river which originates from Shara or Arrow thus came to be known as Sharavathi.

The Ganga River originally came from Vishnu’s right foot. It initially resided in Devaloka, but then Rama’s ancestor Bhagiratha got it to come down to Earth.

Sharavathi was born with the arrow of Lord Sri Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and named as “Kannada Nadina Bhagirathi.”

After the Sharavati river originated, Lord Sri Rama taught let this place be divine and hence installed the Shivalinga under which Sharavati begins her journey and temple built around it, thus Shivalinga is popularly known as Rameshwara.

Festivals Celebrated in Sri Kshetra Ambu Tirtha

Sri Rama Navami is celebrated grandly very year.

How to reach Sri Kshetra Ambu Tirtha

The best way to reach temple is to join Tirtha Yatra and get your tour organised.

By Road: Sri Kshetra Ambu Tirtha is 355 km from Bengaluru and 69 Km from Shivamogga town. Road transport can be easily availed. Regular bus service and taxis are also available from Shivamogga.

By Rail: Shivamogga railway station is the nearest railway station. It is well-connected by important towns of India.

By Air: The nearest airport is at Mangaluru and Hubli. Private taxies are available from this airport location.