Kotilingeshwara, Karnataka
Kotilingeshwara is the place of deity Shiva. The name, Kotilingeshwara by itself describes quite a bit of significance of the place, KOTI stands for a Crore and Lingeshwara is the Shiva Lingas. So it is destined to contain 1Cr of Shiva Lingas one day. Today there a few millons of Shiva Lingas and it is growing with a fast pace towards its destination of 1 Crore. It is situated in Kolar district of Karnataka state. It is about five kilometers from KGF (Kolar Gold Fields) and few KMs from near BEML nagar. This place has the distinction of having one of the largest Shivalinga in the world. Over 2 Lakh devotees visit the temple on Maha Shivratri every year.
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| Largest Shiva Linga |
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| Counting.... Lakhs of Shiva Lingas |
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| Largest Shiva Linga in the world |
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| Counting... Lakhs of Shiva Lingas |
This place has a Main temple with Lord Shiva and many small temples with various deities in and around the main temple. However, it is worth to know that the temple has expanded in past few years. In fact, it is in 3 folds, one fold is the main temple, second fold is the the temple behind the main one, and third fold is a new temple area which is besides the second fold and is still under preparation for the shiva linga installations.
The temple area is mostly sun protected and devotees can quite easily take a walk in the premises passing by the Lingas. Don't ever attempt to count the Lingas as there are so many (countless for any individual in a day...) in number you would get lost and tired. In fact, one can start noticing the shiva linga right from the entrance of the village on the sides of the road. In short, one can see Lingas everywhere.
The place is very serene and tidy. One can find a small shopping street on the path to the temple. The Shiva Lingas are ample in numbers to shop for.
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| The Temple tails are sheltered... |
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| Entrance to the second fold of the temple area |
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| Entrance to the third fold of the temple area.... |
Travel:
The popular route to this place is through Kolar Road, one must come climb the K.R. Puram Hanging bridge and drive towards Kolar. The distance is around 110 KMs from Bangalore to Kotilingeshwara. This road is a highway and awesome to drive. There are Kamat Restaurants on the way to stop over for some quality refreshments. Well the drive takes you to a nice green and rocky landscape. One need to watch out for a relatively large flyover on the Kolar Bypass, (after Kolar village turn) and take a circular right turn towards Bangarpet from the middle of the flyover (you will see a sign board towards Bangarpet on the flyover itself).
Drive towards Bangarpet and reach into the town of Bangarpet (you will pass by Indian Railways Station @ Bangarpet) and continue to drive into BEML nagar. Right after the Beml nagar, you must watch out to take right towards kotilingeshwara (this is marginal right turn). Keep straight on this road to reach Kotilingeshwara and you will be guided with Shiv lingas on the sides of the road.
The route back to Bangalore if you are visiting to Avani is different and not the route that you took to reach the place. From Avani, it is around 4 to 5 kms to the national highway (direction is in the forward way and dont ever attempt to go back to Kotilingeshwara from Avani).
One can start @7:00am in the morning and can be back by 5pm if you are covering all 3 places. And one can be back by 2pm if the trip is limited to only Kotilingeshwara.
Places to visit:
There are two tourist locations and both are yet again temple locations. One is Avani and the other is Bangaru Thirupathi.
Bangaru Thirupathi is around 10Kms while Avani is 20kms. Both are worth a visit. Avani is more known for its recognition by the Archaeology Department, Govt of India. It is a very large place with a mountain to trek for sita temple.
Places to stay:
Drive towards Bangarpet and reach into the town of Bangarpet (you will pass by Indian Railways Station @ Bangarpet) and continue to drive into BEML nagar. Right after the Beml nagar, you must watch out to take right towards kotilingeshwara (this is marginal right turn). Keep straight on this road to reach Kotilingeshwara and you will be guided with Shiv lingas on the sides of the road.
The route back to Bangalore if you are visiting to Avani is different and not the route that you took to reach the place. From Avani, it is around 4 to 5 kms to the national highway (direction is in the forward way and dont ever attempt to go back to Kotilingeshwara from Avani).
One can start @7:00am in the morning and can be back by 5pm if you are covering all 3 places. And one can be back by 2pm if the trip is limited to only Kotilingeshwara.
Places to visit:
There are two tourist locations and both are yet again temple locations. One is Avani and the other is Bangaru Thirupathi.
Bangaru Thirupathi is around 10Kms while Avani is 20kms. Both are worth a visit. Avani is more known for its recognition by the Archaeology Department, Govt of India. It is a very large place with a mountain to trek for sita temple.
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| People performing the puja for one of shiv lingas |
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| People performing the puja for one of shiv lingas |
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| People performing the puja for one of shiv lingas |
Not advised as it is a one day affair. One can start @7:00am in the morning and can be back by 5pm if you are covering all 3 places. And one can be back by 2pm if the destination is only Kotilingeshwara.
Food:
There are no decent restaurants for food in around Kotilingeshwara. One must either reach out to Bangarpet for refreshments or manage food from roadside eatouts. The best suitable plan would be to carry food from home and have it in Banagaru Thirupathi. There are many green landscapes to sit and have your sumptuous lunch.
Best Time to Visit:
Avoid Summers, if you don't mind crowd the best time to visit is, the Maha Shivarathri day.
Otherwise - Anytime of the year is good.
Food:
There are no decent restaurants for food in around Kotilingeshwara. One must either reach out to Bangarpet for refreshments or manage food from roadside eatouts. The best suitable plan would be to carry food from home and have it in Banagaru Thirupathi. There are many green landscapes to sit and have your sumptuous lunch.
Best Time to Visit:
Avoid Summers, if you don't mind crowd the best time to visit is, the Maha Shivarathri day.
Otherwise - Anytime of the year is good.
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