Mylaralingeshwar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Daily UDAAN flights run from Jindal Vijayanagar Airport to Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

• By road

  Buses run to all major Karnataka cities from Ballari, 65 km from Hampi, and from Hosapete, 12 km from Hampi.

Why devotees come here

Mylaralingeshwar Temple stands in Mylara, in the southwest of Hovina Hadagali taluk, Vijayanagara district, Karnataka, about 2 km from the Tungabhadra River. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to a form of Shiva. Its annual Karnikotsava fair draws more than 10 lakh devotees.

Mylara is counted among the famous temples of Karnataka. Its spacious complex has a garbhagriha, antarala, sabhamantapa, open mantapa, sub-shrines and a mahadwargopuram. The deity holds a trident and damaru in his upper hands, with a sword and alms bowls below. Legend says an avatar of Shiva gave seven crore rupees, called Elu Koti, to Venkateshwara for his marriage and never took it back. Devotees believe Elukoti visits every year at the full moon in February, riding a white horse with his wife Gangamalavva.

The Sukhanasi and Navarangamantapa were built in 1412 AD by a man named Gangarasa. Inscriptions of the Vijayanagara rulers Devaraya I and II, dated 1412 and 1416, are on one of the pillars. The hall has polished pillars in Kalyana Chalukya style, which show the temple existed in that period.

In the sanctum, a mud idol about four feet tall stands with a swayambhu Shivalinga in front of it. Above the sanctum rises a Dravidian style triple spire. Devotees come from across the State and neighbouring States.

Festivals

• Full moon days of Magha monthKarnikotsava of Mailara Lingeppa

  The temple's annual fair. More than 10 lakh devotees from across the State and neighbouring States gather at Mylara for it.

Tips for your visit

• Hampi is listed as a nearby tourist place.
• Kuruvatti Mallikarjuna Temple in the same taluk is also listed as a nearby place.

Questions people ask