Kotilingeshwara Temple is a unique and magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the village of Kammasandra in Kolar district, Karnataka.
Temple is famous for having the largest and the tallest Shivalinga in Asia, as well as hundreds of thousands of smaller Shivlings spread across the temple complex. The temple is also known for its historical and spiritual significance, as it is associated with the legend of Bhakta Manjunath, a repentant sinner who became a devout devotee of Lord Shiva. The temple attracts lakhs of pilgrims and tourists every year, especially during the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
History of Kotilingeshwara Temple
History of Kotilingeshwara Temple dates back to the 8th century CE, when the area where the temple is situated was known as Dharmasthali. It was a part of the Rashtrakuta Empire, and there was a temple dedicated to Lord Manjunatha, another name of Lord Shiva, in the village. According to the legend, there was a man named Manjunath Sharma, who was born in the village in 788 CE. He was a non-believer in God and would often insult the deity in the temple. He was also a troublemaker and a bully in the village.
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As he grew older, he realized his mistakes and became a sincere devotee of Lord Manjunatha. He worshipped the Lord with utmost devotion and was blessed by him. However, the villagers did not know about his transformation and still hated him.
One day, he visited the temple with his family and as soon as he entered, all the lamps in the temple went off. The villagers blamed him for this and tried to attack him. Fortunately, a representative of the king was present there and intervened.
He asked Manjunath Sharma to prove his innocence by singing a devotional hymn composed by Maharishi Ved Vyas. As he sang the hymn, the lamps lit up again and shone brighter than before. The villagers realized that he was a changed man and a true devotee of Lord Manjunatha.
Manjunath Sharma then declared that he would install one crore (ten million) Shivlings in the temple to atone for his past sins. He was helped by his family and the king in this task. The area came to be known as Kotilingeshwara, meaning the place of one crore Shivlings. This is where the present temple stands.
Temple as it is seen today was built by Swami Sambha Shiva Murthy, who had a dream in which he saw Lord Shiva. He started the construction of the temple in 1980 and installed the first Shivling in the same year. Later, he installed 101 Shivlings, followed by 1001 Shivlings.
In 1994, he built a huge Shivling with a height of 108 feet, making it the tallest in the world. He also built a giant Nandi statue with a height of 35 feet beside the Shivling. He continued to install more Shivlings in the temple complex, with the aim of reaching one crore Shivlings. Till date, more than 90 lakh Shivlings have been installed in the temple.
Timings of Kotilingeshwara Temple
Temple is open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day. The daily poojas are performed by the priests at all the Shivlings in the temple. The devotees can also offer special poojas by installing Shivlings in their names. The cost of installing a Shivling starts from Rs. 6000 and varies depending on the size and material of the Shivling. The devotees can also perform abhishekam, archana, and aarti to the Shivlings.
Temple is especially crowded during the festival of Maha Shivaratri, which falls in February or March every year. On this day, the devotees observe fast, chant mantras, and offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The temple is decorated with lights and flowers and a grand celebration is held in the night. The devotees can witness the majestic sight of the 108-feet Shivling illuminated by thousands of lamps.
How to Reach Kotilingeshwara Temple?
Temple is located in Kammasandra village, which is about 6 km from Kolar town and 97 km from Bangalore city. The temple can be easily reached by road, rail, or air.
By Road: Temple is well-connected by road to Kolar, Bangalore, and other nearby cities. There are regular buses and taxis available from these places to the temple. The temple is about 2 hours drive from Bangalore and 15 minutes drive from Kolar.
By Rail: Nearest railway station is Kolar Railway Station, which is about 8 km from the temple. There are trains from Bangalore, Chennai, and other major cities to Kolar. From the station, one can take a bus or a taxi to the temple.
By Air: Nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore, which is about 100 km from the temple. There are flights from all over India and abroad to Bangalore. From the airport, one can take a bus, a taxi, or a cab to the temple.
Benefits of Visiting Kotilingeshwara Temple
Visiting Kotilingeshwara Temple can have many benefits for the devotees, such as:
Seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva, who is the supreme deity of Hinduism and the destroyer of evil and ignorance.
Fulfilling one’s wishes and desires by installing Shivlings in the temple and offering prayers to them.
Getting rid of one’s sins and bad karma by repenting and seeking forgiveness from Lord Shiva.
Gaining peace, happiness, and prosperity in one’s life by worshipping Lord Shiva with devotion and faith.
Experiencing the spiritual and cultural richness of the temple and the village.
Enjoying the scenic beauty and tranquility of the temple and its surroundings.
Kotilingeshwara Temple is a remarkable and sacred place that showcases the devotion and dedication of the devotees of Lord Shiva. It is a place where one can witness the glory and grace of the Lord in the form of the largest and the tallest Shivling in Asia, as well as hundreds of thousands of smaller Shivlings. It is a place where one can seek the blessings, forgiveness, and guidance of the Lord and fulfill their wishes and desires. It is a place where one can experience the history, culture, and beauty of the village and the temple. If you are a follower of Lord Shiva or a lover of spirituality and culture, you should definitely visit Kotilingeshwara Temple and feel the divine presence of the Lord.
