Kotilingeshwara Temple with 108 ft Tall Shivalingam Kolar

My recent visit to Kotilingeshwara Temple left me stunned. How come I was not aware of this unique and significant Hindu temple near me! Shows how poorly I have explored my backyard!

Main attraction of Koti Linga Temple is the presence of one crore (ten million) Shiva lingams (phallic representations of Lord Shiva) within the temple complex. Most unique architectural feature of the temple is the towering 108-feet-tall Shiva lingam. Other noteworthy features are the intricate carvings and sculptures adorning the temple walls. The spiritual ambiance of the temple attracts a significant number of devotees and tourists seeking blessings and spiritual solace.

Kotilingeshwara Temple in Kolar is at a distance of less than 100 km from Bangalore. The word Kotilingeshwara translates to Lord of 1 crore Linga, God Shiva. A day trip to Kotilingeshwara temple from Bangalore, on one of the weekends was worth the time and effort.

Read on to know the history and mythology associated with the Kotilinga temple.

Kotilingeshwara Temple History

Initially Kotilingeshwara Temple was started as an act of repentance by Bhakta Manjunatha. It was to acquit himself of his past sins. He believed he had insulted Lord Shiva 10 million times, so as an act to wash off his sins and as respect he made 1 crore (10 Million) Shivalingam idols. Soon devotees and pilgrims started offering Linga here.

It was only recently, in 1980 Swamy Sambhashiva Murthy built the temple structures and the place got some recognition and popularity. As of now there are close to 90 lakh Shivalingam, but their project is to make 1 crore of them.

Kotilingeshwara Temple had the world’s largest Shivalingam in world till Dec 2018. In January 2019, the 111.2ft tall Shiva Lingam in Maheshwaram Shiva Parvathy Temple in Chenkal, Thiruvananthapuram Kerala got this status.

Kotilingeshwara Temple home to Tall Shiva lingam at Kolar Karnataka

Legend of Kotilingeshwara Temple

Manjunathasharma (788 – 827AD), was born to a Hindu family in a village, presently called Kammasandra in Karnataka. However he was an atheist and refused to believe in divine powers of Lord Shiva. Not just that he used to insult Lord Shiva and all religious traditions.

But with time he changed and developed immense respect of devotion for Lord Shiva. Not everyone believed his changed mindset. He still had to prove himself.

Soon a situation cropped up where Manjunathasharma was blamed for the occurrences of bad omens. He along with his family had visited the local Shiva temple, when incidents like holy lamps of the temple got unlit. People around blamed him and mobbed around him.

Luckily for him the local ruler, King Ambikeshwaravarma rescued him. The king asked him to prove his innocence by making every holy lamp glow again.

Manjunatha sang the devotional song Mayakaya Deepam by Maharshi Veda Vyasa. All lamps glowed brighter than ever before, such was his devotion! Thus he got the name Bhakta Manjunatha.

Visit to Kotilingeshwara Temple

Unlike other Hindu temples, Koti Linga Temple doesn’t have any elaborate facade to boast of. The huge Shiva Lingam is visible from a distance and the approach to it is easy. The temple authorities have done well to make good parking facilities. During festival times it can get quite crowded but other days the parking slots are easily available.

Entrance to the temple is lined with several shops selling flowers and other materials for worship in temple. You have to compulsorily leave your footwear outside. Tickets prices are nominal, however the tickets for camera are higher.

Can you spot the huge Shiva lingam? It is behind the trees in the right of the picture.

The entrance to Kotilingeshwara Temple is lined with small shops selling puja materials.

There are 11 smaller temples dedicated to various Hindu Gods and Goddesses before you actually reach the large space decorated with Shiva Lingam of different colors and sizes. Some stand to offer prayers at each of these temples.

There is an idol of Panchmukhi – 5 faced – Ganesh idol in one of the shrines. I found it very different from the Panchmukhi Ganesh Temple I saw on Bangalore – Kengeri highway.

If you are not spiritually inclined you can walk past these temples. No offense at all. After crossing these temple enclosures you actually reach at the huge Linga.

Panchamukhi Ganesha – 5 headed Ganesha, one of the 11 small temples inside

Kotilingeshwara Temple home to 108ft Tall Shiva lingam

Facing the Linga is huge Nandi (Bull), vehicle of Lord Shiva, measuring 35ft (11m).

The sight stunned me, because till then I was not aware of the Nandi statue. This is much bigger than the Mysore Nandi and the Le Pakshi Nandi.

It is an amazing sight to see Linga of various sizes between 1 ft. to 3 ft. spread over an area of 15 acres! But all were in the open, no shade, facing rain and sunshine. Some of them had names of the donator below them. So many Black Linga arranged in a beautiful manner, placed on differently colored platforms. This gives the whole area a colorful look.

For tourists who marvel such statues and visit purely for tourism, the tour time will take less than an hour. It is better to avoid festival days then.

Kotilingeshwara Temple Tall Shiva lingam

Rituals in the Temple

Other than regular festivals Purohits of this temple conduct mass marriages for the poor free of cost. On auspicious days at least 20 weddings take place here. As a tourist if you are keen to know local wedding traditions, this is an ideal destination. If you are lucky you may land here on such a day to witness the functions held.

Childless Couples too come to offer prayers at the temple in the hope of having a baby. They tie cradle on the holy tree there.

Cradles tied to tree as prayers in the hope of having a child.

Location

The temple is located in village of Kammasandra in Kolar district.
Address: Koti Linga Temple, Road, Ghattiragadahalli, Karnataka 563121
Coordinates: 12.995845467034915, 78.29565858465689

How to Reach Kotilingeshwara Temple in Kolar, Karnataka

By Air: Bangalore International Airport is the nearest airport. Hire cabs or take public transport to reach Kolar. It’s about 100 km.
By Rail: There is a well-connected rail network from Bangalore, Mangalore, Hassan, Kolar and Hubli. Koramandal railway station at 8 km is of nearest railway station from Koti Lingala Temple.
By Road: Kolar can be reached by road is from Bangalore. It is a smooth ride of about 2 hours. Kammasandra Gram Panchayat, 500 m away is nearest bus stop from Kotilingeshwara Temple. You can hire private transport to the temple and back for day tours.

Toll needed at one point during road trip from Bangalore to Kolar.

Other Popular Shiva Temples

Interested in more Shiva Temples? Check my travel blog posts on these temples dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva:

Menal Temple in Chittorgarh
108 Shiva Temples in Kalna
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple in Aurangabad

Quick Facts

• Parking available for a fee.
• Ticket charges: Rs. 20, Camera charges extra.
• Washroom facilities available.
• Friendly for differently-abled. Wheel chairs are available.
• For food there is one hotel near the parking lot.
• Alternately you can carry your food too.
• The temple provides prasadam (offerings to deity).
• Open timing 7 AM to 9.30 PM everyday.
• Main festival – Maha Shivaratri in second or third week of February according to lunar calendar. Date of Maha Shivaratri in 2020 in 21^st Feb.
• You too can install a Lingam. Charges are: 6000 INR.

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