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Kotilingeshwara
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Kotilingeshwara Temple (Kannada: ಕೋಟಿಲಿಂಗೇಶ್ವರ) a Hindu temple in the village of Kammasandra in Kolar district, Karnataka, India. The presiding deity of the temple is Shiva. The temple has one of the largest Shivalingams in the world.[1]
Key Information
Background Information
[edit]According to legend the lingas were first placed at what became the temple site by a former atheist who had become a devotee of Shiva,[2] a story which was made into a hagiographical film, Sri Manjunatha, released in 2001.
The main attraction of the temple is a huge linga measuring 108 ft (33 m) tall and 35 ft (11 m) tall Nandi idol, surrounded by lakhs of small lingas spread over an area of 15 acres (61,000 m2). The Nandi idol is installed over a platform which is 60 feet (18 m) in length, 40 feet (12 m) in width and 4 feet (1.2 m) in height. There are eleven small temples constructed within the premises for various deities. A water tank is set up close to the Linga, used by the devotees to perform Abhisheka. The idols vary between 1 foot (0.30 m) and 3 feet (0.91 m) in height. There is a guest house, a marriage hall, a meditation hall and an exhibition center attached to the temple.[3] The temple has the largest and tallest linga in Asia. The number of lingas is ~6.5 lakhs (i.e. 10 lingas within 1 m² of land, implies 61,000 m² of land can accommodate approximately 6.1 lakhs of lingas) and not one crore (ten million).
About Kotilingeshwara Temple
[edit]‘Koti’ in Kannada means a crore and Kotilingeshwara is 1 crore Shivalingas. The temple with the tallest Shivalinga in the world is installed here along with 90+ lakhs of other Shivalingas of different sizes. The 33 mts high Shivalinga and 11 mts high Lord Nandi, the Bull are the main attractions of the temple. The temple is open for donations of Shivalingas of various sizes which can be installed with the name of the donor embedded on it. In 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. Even though there are a lot of devotees who visit the temple every day, the temple attracts millions of tourists on Maha Shivaratri. Shivaratri is a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva and usually occurs in the month of February or March. There are 11 smaller temples dedicated to the other deities like Lord Vishnu, Brahma, Mahesh, Rama, Goddess Annapoorneshwari, Goddess Karumaari Amma, Lord Venkataramani Swamy, Lord Panduranga Swamy, Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana Temple, Lord Panchamukha Ganapathy, Lord Anjaneya, and the Goddess Kannika Parameshwari Temple in the same premises.
Temple Timings
[edit]The temple typically opens at 6:00 am on most days and closes at 9:00 pm[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Duttagupta, Samonway (7 March 2016). "4 of the most amazing Shiva temples in India other than Amarnath and Kedarnath". India Today. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
- ^ "Kotilingeshwara Temple Facts". Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ Choudhury, Nupur (22 January 2021). "Kotilingeshwara Temple - A Day Trip from Bengaluru". tripclap.com. tripclap. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Kotilingeshwara Temple Timings". Tirupati Balaji Online. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
External links
[edit]- GeoHack - Kotilingeshwara
- Kotilingeshwara travel guide
- "Kotilingeshwara Temple Kolar - Lord Shiva Temple". 3 February 2022.
- "Kotilingeshwara Temple - Timings, Legend, History, Architecture & Benefits".
Kotilingeshwara
View on GrokipediaOverview
Description
The Kotilingeshwara Temple is a sprawling Hindu temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated in Kammasandra village, Kolar district, Karnataka, India, at coordinates 12°59′42″N 78°17′45″E and an elevation of approximately 840 meters above sea level. The site encompasses a 15-acre (61,000 m²) area, featuring a vast array of Shiva linga installations that form the temple's distinctive physical landscape.[4][1] At the heart of the complex stands a towering monolithic Shivalinga, measuring 108 feet (33 meters) in height.[1][2] Facing it is a 35-foot (11-meter) tall statue of Nandi, the sacred bull, positioned on a raised platform measuring 60 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 4 feet high.[1] The temple's core attributes emphasize devotion through scale, with more than nine million (90 lakh) Shiva lingas of varying sizes—ranging from 1 foot to 3 feet in height—installed throughout the premises as of 2025, many bearing inscriptions of donors who contributed to their placement, with the goal of reaching one crore (ten million).[2][1] Complementing the main shrine are 11 smaller temples dedicated to deities including Vishnu, Brahma, Rama, and various goddesses such as Annapoorneshwari and Karumaari Amma.[5] A sacred water tank adjacent to the primary Shivalinga facilitates Abhisheka rituals, enhancing the site's functional and spiritual layout.[1] Construction of the temple was initiated in 1980, establishing its expansive form as a major pilgrimage destination.[2]Religious Significance
The Kotilingeshwara Temple holds profound theological importance in Hinduism as a dedicated abode of Lord Shiva, revered under the epithet Kotilingeshwara, which translates to "lord of a crore lingas." This nomenclature underscores the temple's representation of Shiva's infinite manifestations, with the installation of millions of Shivalingas symbolizing the deity's omnipresence and the boundless nature of divine energy in Shaivism. Devotees flock to the site to seek moksha, or spiritual liberation from the cycle of rebirth, believing that worship here purifies the soul and fosters a direct connection to Shiva's transcendent form.[6][7] A distinctive feature of the temple is its central Shivalinga, a towering structure that embodies the sacred union of Shiva—the unmanifest consciousness—and Shakti—the dynamic creative power—central to Hindu cosmology. The tradition of devotees installing individual Shivalingas, often as fulfillment of personal vows, contributes to the collective crore, accruing spiritual merit and reinforcing communal devotion. This practice highlights the temple's role in enabling tangible acts of piety that align with Shaivite principles of surrender and cosmic harmony.[6][7] Culturally, the temple has been immortalized in the 2001 Kannada film Sri Manjunatha, portraying it as a locus of divine transformation and unwavering faith in Shiva. As a vibrant center for Shaivism, it promotes meditation, devotional practices, and the dissemination of Shaivite teachings, drawing pilgrims who view it as a modern extension of ancient worship traditions. Within Karnataka's storied landscape of Shiva temples, Kotilingeshwara stands apart through its emphasis on expansive, participatory linga devotion, echoing the sanctity of revered sites like Kashi Vishwanath while adapting to contemporary spiritual aspirations.[8][6]History and Legends
Construction and Development
The construction of the Kotilingeshwara Temple was initiated in 1980 by Swami Sambha Shiva Murthy, a spiritual leader, and his wife V. Rukmini, who were inspired by a vision to establish a site dedicated to mass worship of Lord Shiva through the installation of numerous Shivalingas.[9][2] The project began modestly with the installation of the first five Pancha Lingas on October 10, 1980, in Kammasandra village, Kolar district, Karnataka, marking the start of a donor-driven initiative to create a sacred complex.[9][10] The initial phase in the 1980s focused on foundational elements, including the installation of 101 and then 1001 smaller Shivalingas, culminating in the erection of the temple's centerpiece—a 108-foot-tall main Shivalinga—in 1994, which stands as one of the largest in the world.[9] In the 1990s, the complex expanded with the addition of a 35-foot-tall Nandi statue facing the main linga, enhancing the site's devotional layout.[1] Over the subsequent decades, devotees contributed to the gradual installation of smaller lingas, reaching over 9 million by the 2010s; as of 2025, the temple houses approximately 9 million Shivalingas, with the ongoing goal of achieving 10 million (one crore) through a structured process where individuals sponsor and inscribe their names on the idols.[2][10] By the 2000s, the site had grown from a small shrine into a sprawling 15-acre complex, incorporating 11 subsidiary temples dedicated to deities such as Vishnu, Brahma, and Annapoorneshwari, along with supporting facilities including a guest house, marriage hall for mass weddings, meditation hall, and restrooms to accommodate visitors.[1][2] The entire development has been funded primarily through public donations, with linga installation fees starting at approximately INR 8,000, enabling sustained growth without reliance on government aid.[9] Following Swami Sambha Shiva Murthy's passing on December 14, 2018, his children have overseen ongoing maintenance and minor additions as of 2025, including the use of digital records to track donor contributions and linga inscriptions, ensuring the project's continuity amid steady visitor influx and no recorded major disruptions.[9][2]Mythological Associations
The primary legend associated with the Kotilingeshwara Temple revolves around Bhakta Manjunatha, a Brahmin born in the 8th-9th century CE into a Shaivite family in what is now Kammasandra village, who began as an atheist and repeatedly insulted Lord Shiva, amassing ten million such offenses.[11] During a visit to a Shiva temple, an incident occurred where the lamps extinguished, which courtiers attributed to his irreverence; challenged by the local ruler Maharaja Ambikeshwaravarma to prove his devotion, Manjunatha sang the devotional hymn Mayakaya Deepam, miraculously relighting the lamps and signifying his transformation into a fervent believer through divine intervention.[12] In atonement for his past mockery, he vowed to install one crore (ten million) Shiva lingas, a pledge supported by the Maharaja and his family, thereby establishing the site's foundational narrative of redemption and unwavering faith in Shiva's transformative power.[11] Local lore further ties the temple to Shiva's manifestation as an infinite linga form, where the towering central linga, standing 108 feet tall, symbolizes the cosmic pillar of fire representing Shiva's boundless energy and the universe's eternal sustenance, evoking the essence of a Jyotirlinga.[13] This symbolism draws from broader Shaiva traditions, adapting concepts from texts like the Linga Purana, which describe the linga as an endless pillar embodying Shiva's infinite nature, though applied here to the temple's modern context of collective linga installations as a representation of divine omnipresence.[13] The legend gained widespread cultural prominence through the 2001 Kannada-Telugu film Sri Manjunatha, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, which dramatizes Bhakta Manjunatha's journey from atheism to devotion and his vow at the Kotilingeshwara site, portraying it as a locus of miraculous faith conversion.[14] While the temple lacks direct mentions in ancient Puranas, its mythology aligns with wider Shiva narratives, such as his role in the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), where he consumes the poison Halahala to protect creation, underscoring themes of redemption and cosmic balance echoed in the site's linga-centric devotion.[13] In contemporary folklore, the temple embodies evolving traditions through accounts of devotees who fulfill personal vows by donating lingas, believing such acts invite Shiva's blessings for desires like health, prosperity, and spiritual growth, thereby perpetuating the redemption narrative in modern practice.[15] These stories reinforce Kotilingeshwara's role as a living repository of faith, where individual contributions to the crore lingas symbolize ongoing communal atonement and divine reciprocity.[16]Location and Accessibility
Geographical Setting
The Kotilingeshwara Temple is situated in Kammasandra village, Kolar district, Karnataka, India, approximately 35 km from Kolar town and 100 km from Bengaluru, within the broader Deccan Plateau region.[1][2][17] This positioning places it in the Eastern Dry agro-climatic zone of Karnataka, characterized by a semi-arid climate with average annual rainfall of about 744 mm, primarily from the southwest and northeast monsoons between June and November.[18][19] Temperatures typically range from 20°C to 35°C year-round, with cooler evenings due to the area's elevation of around 811 meters above sea level.[20][21] The surrounding landscape features a rural setting with dryland agriculture, including crops suited to semi-arid conditions, interspersed with rocky outcrops and granite hills typical of the Deccan Plateau's undulating terrain.[22] Kolar district forms part of a historical gold-mining belt centered around the nearby Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), about 6 km away, where mining activities from the late 19th century until the closure in 2001 shaped the local economy and environment; the region is now transitioning toward tourism as an alternative livelihood source.[23][24] The temple site itself encompasses over 15 acres, including a sacred pond considered holy for its purported healing properties and areas with landscaped elements that enhance the serene ambiance.[25][26] While no major current environmental concerns are reported at the temple, its proximity to former mining sites has historically led to localized pollution impacts, such as soil and water contamination from tailings and cyanide residues.[27][28] As part of Karnataka's network of ancient Shiva temples, the Kotilingeshwara Temple contributes to the South Indian sacred geography, complementing sites like the Sri Srikanteshwara Temple in Nanjangud and underscoring the region's spiritual heritage.[29][2]Travel and Visitor Access
The Kotilingeshwara Temple is accessible primarily by road from major cities in Karnataka, with Bengaluru serving as the main gateway. It lies approximately 100 km from Bengaluru, reachable via NH75 or NH44 toward Kolar, followed by state highways leading to Kammasandra village; the journey typically takes 2 to 3 hours by car, though the final stretches may include narrower rural roads. Public transportation options include Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses from Bengaluru's Majestic bus station to Kolar or Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), from where local autos or taxis (costing around Rs 100-200) can cover the remaining distance.[2][17][3] For air travelers, the nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, about 100–120 km away, with taxis or pre-booked cabs taking roughly 2.5 hours to reach the site. Rail connectivity is feasible; the closest stations are Bangarapet Junction (14 kilometers away, with frequent trains from Bengaluru) and Kolar Railway Station (approximately 35 kilometers away, with fewer services), from which visitors can hire autos or taxis for the short onward trip.[2][17][3] The temple is open daily from 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Entry requires a nominal fee of Rs 20 per person (free for children under 14 and differently-abled persons during select time slots such as 9:00 AM–10:00 AM and 7:30 PM–9:00 PM), with additional charges of Rs 100 for cameras and Rs 30–50 for vehicle parking in the on-site lot. Devotees can sponsor the installation of small Shivalingas, with costs ranging from approximately Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 depending on size and source. While no strict dress code is enforced, modest attire such as traditional Indian clothing is recommended to respect the religious setting.[2][30][31][3] Visitors are advised to plan trips during the cooler months from October to March, when temperatures are more comfortable for exploring the expansive grounds. On-site facilities include restrooms, water taps, food stalls offering vegetarian meals, and basic parking areas, though wheelchair accessibility remains limited due to steps and uneven paths in parts of the complex. Early morning arrivals on weekdays help avoid weekend crowds, and the temple's proximity to Kolar town (about 35 kilometers north) facilitates combined visits to regional attractions.[2][32][17] The temple is commonly combined with visits to nearby attractions, including:- Chikka Tirupati (~63 km, known as "Mini Tirupati")
- Antara Gange Caves (~40 km)
- Kolaramma Temple (~35 km)
- Nandi Hills (~60 km)