Virupakshi Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport is the nearest international airport, about 100 km away.

• By train

  Bangarpet is the nearest railway station, 45 km away.

• By road

  The nearest bus stop is at Mulbagal, about 4 km from the temple.

Why devotees come here

Virupakshi Temple is a Shiva shrine in Mulbagal, Kolar district, Karnataka. It is one of the few temples with an atma linga in its sanctum, and its enclosures and three gates follow the Dravidian style.

Virupakshi Temple is dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Shiva. It is in Mulbagal, about 5 km from Mulabagilu and around 30 km from Kolar city. The Stalapurana says sage Atrimaharshi installed the Shivalinga. Legend says the temple was built by Lakkana Dandesha, who governed Mulavayi province under Devaraya-II of the Vijayanagara Empire.

The temple is believed to have been built during Vijayanagara rule in the 14th century. A Deccan Herald report calls it an 800-year-old temple. It stands at Virupaksha fort, near the ASI-protected Ramalingeshawara group of temples at Avani. It follows the Dravidian style, with extensive inner and outer enclosures and three gates. The shikara above the sanctum is now in a state of ruin.

Inside the garbhagriha is the Tejolingam, an atma linga. It is said to look honey coloured in the early morning and to turn white and other colours by evening. The temple is widely known for this change.

Festivals

• Rathasaptami, the day after SankranthiRathotsava

  The temple's Rathotsava, the chariot festival, is held on this day.

• Night of Maha ShivaratriMaha Shivaratri

  Celebrated with great fervor, attracting thousands of devotees from far and wide.

Tips for your visit

• Kotilingeshwara Temple, about 20 km away, has one of the largest Shiva lingas in the world, along numerous smaller lingas.
• Avani Hill, about 7 km from the temple, is known for its views and trekking.
• The Ramalingeshawara group of temples at Avani is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, and is near this temple.

Questions people ask