The Kotilingeshwara Temple is located in the Kolar district in a little village called Kammasandra. The temple is well-known for housing the largest and tallest Shivalinga in Asia. Every year, almost 2 million devotees visit this shrine. There is approximately one crore Shiva Lingas in this special temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. All of the Shiva Lingas (apart from the largest one) in the Kotilingeshwara Temple range in height from one foot to three feet.

For Lord Shiva’s followers, it is a wonderful experience to see so many Shivling in one location. Maha Shivaratri is a very famous festival, and many devotees make an effort to attend on this auspicious day. The temple is easily accessible from Kolar’s gold fields.

Story/Legend Behind Kotilingeshwara Temple

Manjunatha Sharma or Bhakta Manujnatha was brought into the world in the group of Shaiva Hindu Brahmins. He was an individual of good person however he doesn’t have faith in that frame of mind of God. Additionally, he insulted Lord Shiva as a child and continued to do so throughout his life.

But one day he became a devotee of Lord Shiva after realizing his own divinity. When Bhakta Manjunatha and his family went to the village’s Shiva Temple one day, it was said that many bad things happened. In one instance, every incensed lamp in the temple premises was left unlit. Others in the sanctuary blamed Bhakta Manjunatha for the purpose. Maharaha Ambikeshwaravarma, a local viceroy for the Rashtrakuta Dynasty, was the only other person in the temple.

He went to Manjunatha to show that he was innocent. Then, at that point, he and Manjunatha sang the devotional song Mayaka Deepam. After that, all the deepas in the sanctuary lit once more and with more splendour.

The fact that Manjunatha is now a different person is accepted by everyone. Also, Manjunatha acknowledged that he has offended Master Shiva no less than ten million times in his life. Hence, to liberate himself from his past sins, Manjunatha under the help of Ambikeshwaravarma made 10 million (one crore) Shiva Lingas. As a result, Kotilingeshwara was given the name, Koti, which means “crore.” These Lingas were installed in the temple area which is presently known as Kotilingeshwara Temple.

History of Kotilingeshwara Temple

Swami Shiva Murthy built the Kotilingeshwara temple in 1980, and that same year, the first Linga was erected on the temple grounds. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Maheshawra are among the several gods housed within the premises’ temple. The temple’s grounds also include other smaller temples, including those dedicated to the goddess Annapoorneshwari, Lord PanchaGanapathy, Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Lord Pandurangaswamy.

The government has designated the temple as a tourist destination so that visitors can pay their respects to Lord Shiva Lingam there. There are also two flowering trees at the temple known as Cannon Ball and Nagalinga, which are said to grant the single woman a happy and successful married life. During Maha Shivaratri, a large crowd of worshippers continues to fill the temple.

The architecture of Kotilingeshwara Temple

The 108-foot-tall Shiva Lingam and the 35-foot-tall Nandi are housed at the temple. Over fifteen acres of land, the Nandi is situated on a platform, surrounded by little Shiva Lingams. Smaller temples dedicated to different gods may be found on the property, including those dedicated to Goddess Annapoorneshwari, Sri Panchaganapathy, Sri Rama, Sita Devi, and Sri Lakshmana, as well as to Goddess Karumaari Amma, Sri Venkatramani Swamy, Sri Anjaneya, and Goddess Kannika Parameshwari.

One crore Lingams are planned to be installed at the temple, which currently houses 90 lakh Lingams. In close proximity to the Shiva Lingam, there is a water tank. People who practise Abishekam to the Shiva Lingam get water from this location. A marriage hall, a meditation hall, a rest house, and an exhibition centre are also on the grounds of the temple. The shrine has two blossoming trees under which worshippers offer wishes to be granted.

Facts about Kotilingeshwara Temple

• Sri Kotilingeshwara Temple is a beautiful temple located at Kammasandra Village between Bangarapet and Bethamangala at a distance of 100 km from Bangalore, 35 km from Kolar and 14 km from Bangarapet.
• The temple is famous for 108 feet tall Shiva linga and Basava Statue (Nandi or bull) 35 feet high. 15 acres of the area surrounded by lakhs of small shivlings.
• The height of all the Shiva Linga (Except the Biggest One) in Kotilingeshwara Temple varies between one foot (0.30m) and three feet (0.91m) in height.
• This statue of Nandi is 35 feet (11m) tall and sits on a huge platform.
• Inside the arena of Kotilingeshwara temple, there are other different deities present to worship. Within the premises of the temple, there are around eleven different temples of different deities.
• In the year 1980, the temple was initiated and constructed by Swami Sambha Shiva Murthy. The road to the temple is easily approachable and is located in Kammasanadra, a small village in Kolar District.
• The temple priests conduct poojas, Abishekam (holy bath), and make offerings for the main deity, and the smaller Shiva Lingams daily. They also perform mass marriages for the poor free of cost. Devotees can also install Shiva Lingams and offer special poojas.
• Couples without children pray for children by fastening a cradle to the temple’s sacred trees. When women offer prayers to the temple trees, they are granted a happy, wedded life. Worshippers bind yellow threads and offer wishes in a prayer.
• You can install your own Shiva Linga in Kotilingeshwara Temple. The price for installing your own Shiva Linga starts from 6000 Rs.

Famous Festivals In Kotilingeshwara Temple

• Mahashivratri: The day before the Amavasya (new moon) of each lunar month is called Shivarathri.  Mahashivaratri is the most prominent festival celebrated here.
• Deepawali: This festival is celebrated on Amavasya of Karthik month of the Hindu calendar.

Best Time To Visit

All Months, but during Mahashivratri the special arrangement is organised by the temple committee.

How To reach Kotilingeshwara Temple

The Kotilingeshwara Temple is located in the Kolar district in a little village called Kammasandra.

Nearest Airport: The nearest airport to Kolar is located in Bangalore.  From the airport, travellers can hire cabs or rely on public transport to reach Kolar

Nearest Railway Station: There is a well-connected rail network from Bangalore, Mangalore, Hassan, Kolar and Hubli. You can get down at the Bangarpet station and travel 15 kilometres to reach the temple.

Taxi/Bus Service: If you want to reach the temple by road, you need to head through Kolar. Kolar is at a distance of 2.5 hours from Bangalore.

Also, Read –  The Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur