Vitla also Vittal is a town in Bantwal taluk
of Dakshina Kannada district, India, around
18 km from Bantwal
in Bantwal Taluk. It is also 14 km from Puttur
and 40 km from Mangalore.
Formerly ruled by the Vittala Arasas or kings belonging to
the Domba Heggade Dynasty, the head of the dynasty, even today, plays a
dominant role in the religious ceremonies of 16 temples. One can see the palace
in the outskirts of Vittla. Standing in the middle of the vast greenery, it
houses members of the dynasty.
The town is known for the Panchaligeshwara Temple. Vitla is
surrounded by a dense forest called Kalenjimale. It is believed that Bakasura
lived in this forest. A cave still exists in the forest which is supposed to
have been the demon's resting ground.
Vitla is placed on a junction of four roads connecting
Puttur, Kasargod, Mangalore and Saletur.
History:
This little town at the foot of the Western Ghats is one of
the richest areca growing areas in the country. It is also known for its
Panchalingeshwara temple. Hidden from the public glare so far, the temple had a
limited patronage from both the government and the devotees but its glorious
past relates to the Mahabharata.
It is said the five Shiva Lingams at the temple were
consecrated by the Pandavas. The undated shilashasanas (rock inscriptions) found
on the premises of the temple bear testimony to this. An inscription of 1894
speaks about the pension paid to the hereditary trustees belonging to
"Doddamarasugalu" by the government. The Pancha Lingams are different
in size resembling the Pandavas' physic. The three-storey temple is similar in
structure to those built in Madhur (Ganapathy), Adoor, Kavu and Kaniyaru. They
all belonged to the Mayippady royal family of Kumble (which is now in Kasaragod district of Kerala).
The sthalapurana says that it belonged to the time of the Pandavas or even
earlier as the Pandavas had only performed prathisthe
of the Pancha Lingams during their Agnatavasa.
To support the sthalapurana, the geographical features
mentioned in the "Upa Katha"
of "Bakasura Vadhe" in the Aranya Kanda of the Mahabharata can be
seen on the periphery of the temple. The "Gami" where Bakasura lived
is on a hillock close to the town. People still visit the place where Bhima
vanquished Bakasura. There are three other places, Netthare Kere (puddle of
blood), "Chipparu" where Bakasura's head was found and
"Kayyaru" where the hands of the demon were found.
The Vittal Palace – in the present Bantwal taluk – is one
among those several monuments, which have not been accorded their due place.
History speaks of the Vittal king Achuta Heggade who was overhauled by Hyder
Ali. The former was supported by the British and was residing in Talacheri.
To view video please click here