Marulasiddheshwar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Jindal Vijayanagar Airport is 38 km from Hampi, with daily UDAAN flights to Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

• By train

  Hosapete is the nearest railway station, 12 km from Hampi.

• By road

  Ujjini has good bus connections to Hospet, Chitradurga, Davanagere and Bellary.

Why devotees come here

Marulasiddheshwar Temple stands in Ujjini village in Kottur taluk, Vijayanagara district, Karnataka. It is one of the Pancha Peethas, also called Saddharma Simhasana Peetha, and its sanctum holds a black stone Shiva linga.

Ujjini is known for the ancient Marulasiddheshwar Temple, which is also called Saddharma Simhasana Peetha. It is one of the Pancha Peethas, and the village is commonly known as Ujjini Math. The main sanctum holds a black stone Shiva linga.

The temple was built in the Kalyana Chalukya period. Donations received under the Devagiri Yadavas, the Vijayanagara kings and the Palayagaras later expanded it. In 1529 AD, the Vijayanagara king Achyutaraya also gave charity to the deity.

The temple faces north. Its parts include the sanctum, antarala, sabhamantapa, mahamantapa and a mahadwara gopuram, along with newer mantapas, an Annasantharpana Mandir and a matt, or monastery. The sanctum doorway is carved with scrolls, pilasters and lion branches, and Gajalakshmi is also seen there. The interior is full of fine carvings, and a huge Nandi sits in front of the temple.

Festivals

• Vaishakh monthRathotsava

  The chariot festival, held a day before Thailabhisheka.

• April or MayShikara Thailabhisheka

  A festivity unique to Ujjini, held every year.

Tips for your visit

• Shri Guru Kottureshwara Temple of Kottur is 14 km from Ujjini.
• Look at the sanctum doorway, which is decorated with scrolls, pilasters and lion branches.

Questions people ask