Rock climber Jyoti Raj, widely known as ‘Kothi Raj’, successfully scaled the Karinja hillock on Sunday, located 36 km from Mangaluru in Bantwal taluk, Dakshina Kannada. The hill is a popular destination for devotees, known for its picturesque setting and the Karinjeshwara temple at the summit.
Raj began his climb from the rear side of the hill at 10 a.m. under sunny conditions. He reached the top and the Karinjeshwara temple by 10:30 a.m., attracting a crowd of onlookers both at the base and on the hilltop.
On the previous day, Saturday, Raj visited Bantwal to conduct a trial climb. He took about an hour to reach the top during the trial. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Raj shared that he has previously scaled landmarks such as Gadaikallu (also known as Jamalabad fort) near Belthangady, and various buildings in Udupi and Mangaluru. “I received numerous requests from my supporters to climb Karinja hills, and I’ve done that today,” he said.
Raj also revealed plans to build a sports club on a two-acre plot within the state, where he will train young people in rock climbing and other adventure sports. The Karinja hill climb was part of his effort to raise funds for constructing a hostel through donations from local supporters. Additionally, Raj mentioned that he has sought permission from district authorities to climb the tallest building in Mangaluru.
The Karinja hill, known for its serene beauty, is located off Mangaluru-Tumakuru National Highway 73. At the base of the hill sits a scenic pond, while a fleet of stone-carved stairs leads devotees to both the Karinjeshwara and Parvathi Temples atop the hill.