Devirammajatre, Bindiga

There are many incredible temples in India, and one such temple is the Deviramma temple located in the Chandra Drona hill ranges near the city of Chikmagalur in Karnataka. The temple nestles atop a 3,000 feet high hill named Deviramma hill and is open to devotees only on one day in the entire year. The temple opens on the Naraka Chaturdashi day, which marks the beginning of Diwali festival. The temple atop the hill is reached by 8-kilometre long trek. Lakhs of devotees await this auspicious day and start the trek early in the morning for the annual darshan of the Goddess. The legend associated with the temple is that the Goddess Durga after vanquishing the demon Mahishasura, rested atop this hill to cool her rage. Devotees believe that the Goddess still stays on the hill. Though the temple does not have a door or walls, no devotee visits it apart from the day of Naraka Chaturdashi. The Deviramma Jatre takes place on the hill, and devotees fast and trek barefoot to the temple for a glimpse of the Goddess. Oil lamps are lighted with the help of firewood in the temple, and it is believed that the light is visible from the Chamundi Hills in Mysore. The annual fair or Deviramma Jathre takes plae for for four days during which the Rathotsava or Car Festival is also held. There are actually two temples, one is the Deviramma Temple which is open throughout the year, while the temple at the top of the hill known as Giri Devaramma temple opens for a single day on Naraka Chaturdashi day