Malahanikareshwara Temple

Getting there

• By road

  Bus services are available to reach Sringeri from several towns. The official travel page lists them.

Why devotees come here

Sri Malahanikareshwara is a Shiva temple on a hillock in Sringeri, tucked into the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Its linga is said to have been worshipped by the sage Vibhandaka, and devotees believe a visit helps rid one of impurities.

Sri Malahanikareshwara is a Shiva temple. Legend says the sage Vibhandaka, son of Kashyapa, worshipped the linga here, and the linga is called destroyer of the impurities of the soul. Vibhandaka did penance on this spot and had a vision of Shiva. He is said to have united Shiva with the linga before he left the mortal world. Devotees believe a visit helps rid one of mental and physical impurities.

The stone structure is thought to have been raised early in the Vijayanagar period, replacing an older wooden one. Repairs were made by Sri Narasimha Bharati, the 26th Acharya, with help from Somasekhara Nayaka of Keladi. The outer walls were built in 1685 by Sitammaji, daughter of Revanna Nayaka of Keladi.

Inside are a navaranga (hall), an antarala (vestibule) and a garbhagrha (sanctum). The pillars carry relief carvings, and the ceiling has a carved lotus bud. Figures of Narasimha and Virabhadra are carved here too. The temple also holds Bhavani, Sthambha Ganapati, Chandikeshvara, Ganapati and Durga. The official site places the temple on top of a hillock in the heart of Sringeri town. Karnataka Tourism places it in the nearby village of Kigga.

Festivals

• Magha Krishna Dasami to Phalguna Shukla DvitiyaMalahanikareshwara Rathotsava

  The temple's chariot festival. It runs through the Magha and Phalguna months.

Tips for your visit

• On Mahashivaratri the Jagadguru performs puja to Shiva for several hours during the day.
• Sringeri is a hill town and taluk headquarters in Chikkamagaluru district.

Questions people ask