ABOUT KOTILINGESHWARA TEMPLE

Kotilingeshwara Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is is located in Kolar district, Karnataka.

‘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+ lakh 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.

This temple has been constructed by Swami Sambha Shiva Murthy in the year 1980. The first linga was installed in 1980 and since then there have been many lingas present in the temple. There is also a huge and tall Nandi installed beside the linga. The Nandi is 11 mt tall and sits over a huge platform.

History of Kotilingeshwara Temple

Manjunatha Sharma or Bhakta Manujnatha was born in the family of Shaiva Hindu Brahmins.He was a person of good character but he does not believe in the existence of God.

Moreover, he used to insult Lord Shiva while he was a child and grew up insulting him.

But one day he realized the divinity of Lord Shiva and became his devotee.When one day Bhakta Manjunatha and his family visited the local Shiva Temple in the village, many incidents happened which are said to be bad omens.

One incident included the unlit of all the deeps (incensed lamp) in the temple premises. Other people in the temple accused Bhakta Manjunatha for the cause.

There was one more person in the temple, Maharaha Ambikeshwaravarma, a local viceroy for the ruling Rashtrakuta Dynasty. He approached Manjunatha for proving his innocence.

ALSO READ: ABOUT CHENNAKESHAVA TEMPLE

Then he and Manjunatha sang the devotional song Mayaka Deepam. After that all the deepas in the temple lit again and with more brightness.

All the people accepted the fact that Manjunatha is now a different person. Moreover, Manjunatha accepted that he has insulted Lord Shiva at least ten million time in his life.

Therefore, to free himself from his past sins, Manjunatha under the support of Ambikeshwaravarma created 10 million (one crore) Shiva Lingas. Hence, the name Kotilingeshwara, where Koti means crore.

These Lingas were installed in the area which is now known as Kotilingeshwara Temple.

Within the premises of the temple, there are about eleven other temples for different deities. The first of them includes the temple of Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, and Lord Maheshwara temples. This is followed by a temple of Lord Kotilingeshwara.

The temples include Goddess Annapoorneshwari Temple, Goddess Karumaari Amma Temple, Lord Venkataramani Swamy Temple, Lord Panduranga Swamy Temple, Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana Temple, Lord Panchamukha Ganapathy Temple, Lord Anjaneya Temple, and finally Goddess Kannika Parameshwari Temple.

Quick Facts

• Address:  Koti linga Temple, Road, Ghattiragadahalli, Karnataka 563121
• Architectural style: Dravidian architecture
• Festivals: Mahashivaratri
• District: Kolar District
• Deity: Lord Shiva
• Entry Fee: INR 20 per person
• Temple Timings : 6:00 AM- 9:00PM
• Time Required : 1 hour
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Dress Code :- 
• Women: No western clothes like jeans, T-shirts, shirts. But women should wear saris, salwar with a dupatta or a long skirt that covers ankles. 
• Men: Dhoti/pants with a shirt (upper body should be covered)
• Camera Fees: INR.100

Astonishing Facts Kotilingeshwara Temple

1. Kolar is famous for its goldfields but unfortunately, as a tourist, you cannot visit them. The famous KGF movie is based on Kolar Gold Fields.
2. This is a unique temple of Lord Shiva where you will find around one Crore (10 Million) Shiva Linga.
3. Kotilingeshwara Temple is famous for the fact that it has one of the biggest Shivas Linga(108 FT) in Asia.

How To Reach Kotilingeshwara Temple?

By Air

Bengaluru Kempegouda International Airport is the nearest Airport which is around 100 KM from the temple.

By Rail

Koramandal is of nearest railway station from Kotilingeshwar Temple which is around 8 KM away.

By Road

Kammasandra Gram Panchayat is nearest bus-stop from Kotilingeshwar Temple and is around 500mtr away.

WHERE TO STAY?

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