Things To Do Near Kotilingeshwara Temple

Kotilingeshwara Temple  is a spiritual and beautiful religious worship destination located in the serene landscapes of the Kolar District in Karnataka. It stands out as a unique architectural marvel through its massive Shiva statues and countless numbers of Shivalingas. No wonder it is an excellent place for worship and reflection. It symbolizes devotion, reverence, and artistic brilliance making it a visit when one wishes to have deep insights into India's cultural and spiritual legacy. 

The main is Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism, who is considered for his ability to be the destroyer and transformer along with Brahma, who is also referred to as a creator, and Vishnu as a preservative in the holy trinity or Trimurti. The temple is situated in the village of Kotilingeshwara, which lies around 6 kilometres from Mulbagal-a small town in the Kolar district of Karnataka. The temple complex was founded in the 1990s by Swamiji Dr. Shivakumara Swamiji, a reverend saint and spiritual leader who is also the founder of the Sri Koti Lingeshwara Trust. The term "Kotilingeshwara" is a combination of two Kannada words: "Koti,"  which means a crore or ten million, and "Lingeshwara," which means Lord Shiva. It consequently implies the presence of a crore, that is, ten million Shivalingas, ascribed to sacred symbols of Lord Shiva. The temple's construction was a local event and a tremendous spiritual project. It was built to create widespread  awareness  regarding the greatness of Lord Shiva and to create devotion in everyone's heart. 

The most prominent feature is the gigantic Shiva Linga, housed centrally in the temple complex in Karnataka. The Linga is almost 33 feet high and is one of the tallest Shiva Lingas found in India and south India. This stone  structure carries beautiful carvings , indicating that Lord Shiva, in his manifested form, has created this giant. The gigantic Linga is kept on a pedestal of immense proportions, and the Linga is bathed with sacred water and milk at daily rituals and prayers.  Shiva Pooja or Shiva Linga Abhishekam is the installation  process of these  Shivalingas that is very encouraging. Usually, devotees take small Shivalingas and consecrate  them by doing  rituals to add to this mountain-like collection of lingas. Sacred symbols abound within the temple grounds , creating a spiritual atmosphere that is both calming and inspiring.  Besides the giant Shiva Linga, the Shiva temple  holds  another extravaganza-like feature:  the 108-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva. This monumental statue, in this regard,  happens to be one of the tallest in India; it enshrines the solemn image  of Lord Shiva meditating.  These statues  comprise classy stone and reflect how much effort had gone into creating the work of art. 

This means that the statue's gigantic size represents spirituality, achievable from miles away. It happens  to  remind people of the divinity and omnipresence of Lord Shiva. Devotees often walk up to the statue to  have  their prayers conferred for  peace, prosperity, and spiritual gratification. Interestingly, in most Shiva temples  throughout the country, Kotilingeshwara Temple boasts a giant Nandi-a bull mount of Lord Shiva. In terms  of  dimensions, Kotilingeshwara's Nandi is gigantic. It sits majestically face to face with the Shiva Linga , signifying  respect and loyalty towards Lord Shiva. Also, this is one of the notable one-day trips from Bangalore, which can be visited both during the day and night.  One of the adventurous things you can do at Markonahalli  Dam is trek  up the hill along the trail on a whole moon night. And at the very top of the mountain, the display of natural beauty around you will be an enchantment to cherish! 

Other small shrines are also in the temple to the deities Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, and Mother Parvati involved with Lord Shiva. It houses  the deity of Lord Shiva in its main sanctum in a simple yet powerful form. Temple priests conduct regular rituals and prayers. The complex also has a sacred pond, which the devotees often use for ritual baths. A holy dip is considered  auspicious by the devotees and cleanses them of all their sins.  The temple is  accompanied by a Yajna Mandapam, which hosts and conducts regular religious pujas and has performed over the fire. The yajnas are essential to the temple activities and are believed to be covered with divine blessings. 

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Kotilingeshwara Temple has one of the tallest Shiva Lingas in India and south India in Karnataka, which is 33 feet tall or 10 meters. 

• This towering statue of Lord Shiva, which haunts  the eyes of devotees and visitors, is the temple's main attraction.

• The temple campus is remarkably known to hold a crore (ten million) Shivalingas scattered throughout the ground. 

• One of the striking features of the temple is the 108-foot-high statue of Lord Shiva in a meditative posture. 

• An enormous Nandi bull faces the main Shiva Linga , symbolizing their worship of Lord Shiva. 

• Sacred Pond : Where most of the devotees bathe in the holy pond to purify themself as a ritual of prayer 

• Yajna Mandapam: The hall that performs homes as well as any other sacred rites that occur 

• Deva's Pilgrim Centre for Health, Wealth, Peace, and Liberation. 

• Major Hindu festivals like Maha Shivaratri and Shivaratri are particularly colourful as thousands of devotees flock in to offer their prayers and partake in special rituals. 

BEST TIME TO VISIT: 

The temple can be visited  between October and March when the weather conditions are pretty favourable, as the temperature is  cool and pleasant. During the season, the temperatures are mild and comfortable for visitors to view all aspects of the temple complex and carry out the rituals without unbearable heat. The period is  excellent  for visiting sites, photographing, and spending time outdoors because of the cooler climate. This period also represents the peak pilgrimage season in India, particularly when people want to visit the sacred place  during Maha Shivaratri, typically during February or March, the most significant Hindu festival honouring Lord Shiva. 

Check Out: One Day Trip From Bangalore | Trekking Near Bangalore | Two Day Trip From Bangalore

TIPS TO VISIT: 

• This is a place of worship, so modest clothing is a must. Women may wear long skirts or dresses, and men should not wear shorts or open shirts. 

• The temple stretches over much space, and you will probably walk there for some time. So, wear light shoes or sandals. 

• You may also like to be able to witness Abhishekam, the ritual bathing of the Shiva Linga with milk, honey, etc., which is an age-old ritual. 

• Ensure  you do not litter garbage anywhere on campus and keep the temple clean. 

• Be gentle and avoid loud talk or  disturbing sounds , as many people visit this place for quiet time to meditate and pray. 

• Do not touch the idols: The idols are not touched during puja , so people generally don't and show respect. 

• Most shops and hawkers outside the temple have digital payments or cards, but it is sensible to carry cash with you  in case of donation, prasad purchase and some small things like flowers or candles for your offerings. 

HOW TO REACH 

From Bengaluru, you can take a car, taxi, or bus up to this temple. The distance takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. Road Signs for Kotilingeshwara Temple are  visible from Mulbagal. 

By Train: The Nearest Railway station is Kolar Railway Station,  about 30km. You can hire a taxi or take any other transport from the railway station to reach the temple. 

By Air: The nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru ,  75 kilometres away. A hired cab from the airport will reach you to the temple. 

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