PARAKUNNATH SREE VETTAKKORUMAKAN PAYYAN KSHETHRAM (TEMPLE), AROLI, KANNUR, KERALA: Situated in Kolar, Karnataka, Kotilingeshwara Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Monday, 13 November 2017

Situated in Kolar, Karnataka, Kotilingeshwara Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Situated in Kolar, Karnataka, Kotilingeshwara Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kotilingala Temple is well known for housing the tallest Shiva Linga in the world, measuring 108 ft (33 m). Koti in Kannada means One Crore. Linga is an abstract symbol of Lord Shiva. As the name itself signifies, together it's Koti-Linga, (Crore Statues). Lord Kotilingeshwara temple spans over 13 acres of land in Kammasandra.

The Kotilingeshwara temple was initiated with the intent of installing 1 crore lingas. Koti means crore (10 million) in Sanskrit and hence the name "Kotilingeshwara". This temple is part of Mukti Kshetra Darshan.

A huge Nandi (Nandishwara - the Vahana of Shiva) which is 35 feet (11 m) tall lies in front of this huge Shiva Linga. The Nandi stands on a platform which is about 4 feet in height. Kotilingeshwara temple is a modern marvel that is still developing with the efforts of devotees. About eleven small temples of various deities are constructed within the premises. A water tank is also present for performing Abhishekam to the Lingam.

Manjunatha was an atheist, but a good person helping others in need and fighting evil and so even though Manjunatha hates his namesake Lord Manjunatha (aspect of Shiva), the latter loves his would be devotee. Being an atheist, Manjunatha always disrespects Lord Shiva.

Eventually Manjunatha realizes the existence of the Supreme and slowly transforms himself into a great devotee of Lord Manjunatha (Shiva) and with his devotion, wins the hearts of everybody including the local King, Ambikeshwaravarma.

He is believed to have insulted Supreme god Manjunath ten million times in his lifetime, therefore, to acquit himself of his past sins, Bhakta Manjunatha, under the patronage of Maharaja Ambikeshwaravarma and help of his family, created ten million lingams, hence the name "Kotilingeshwara" where 'Koti' means 'crore,' and installed them in the area now known as Kotilingeshwara Temple.