Temple

The Mallikarjuna temple is located in the town of Kuruvatti (Kuruvathi) in the Bellary district of Karnataka state, India. The temple was constructed in the early 12th century during the rule of the Western Chalukya Empire. According to an inscription at the temple, it was constructed in service of the god "Abhinava Someshvara" and that the temple also went by the name "Ahavamallesvara". The temple was constructed in the memory of the King Vikramaditya VI by his heir.

Architecture

The building material used for The Mallikarjuna temple is soapstone. The temple consists of a sanctum (garbhagriha), an antechamber which connects the sanctum to a sabhamantapa, two mukhamantapa on either side, and indedpendent of the main temple complex and to the east, a hall (nandimantapa) containing a sculpture of Nandi. Inside, the entrance to the antechamber has a highly decorated lintel with motifs of aquatic creatures. The Rangamantapa has 12 pillars which are triangular in all three directions and is 8 feet high and 4 feet wide, where we can find Lord Ganesha who is 5 feet tall and Lord Subramanya along with Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy. The temple has a single shrine with a tower with porched entrances from three sides. Each of these dwaars are beautifully incarnated with the traditional design that influences the Western Chalukya architecture. The Goddess Shri Bhuvaneshwari's idol is beautifully incarnated on the Main Dwaar.

Picture courtesy : commons.wikimedia.org

Darsan Info

Temple timings : 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM (All days of the week)

Darsan Dresscode

Clean and conservative clothing is advised.( Avoid shorts, skirts, tanktops)

Famous Festival

The maha Rathothsava is celebrated on Maha Shivaratri Amavasya (new moon) day during February / March.

Culture

The temple is located in small village in Bellary district. The place is surrounded by green forest, the climate is modest with lots of green tress surrounded by ancient temples.

Temple Rituals

Morning pooja and harathi at 7:00 AM
Archna and sevas are conducted from 8:00 AM onwards

Special Rituals

There are some special pooja performed during the time of festivals and during Maha Shivaratri. In Kartika a special pooja to the Lord Nandi and Mallikrjuna Swamy is performed.

Additional Info