Bettadapura Sidilu Mallikarjunaswamy Temple, Karnataka

Address

Bettadapura Sidilu Mallikarjunaswamy Temple, Bettadapura, Karnataka 571102

Diety

Mallikarjunaswamy Amman: Parvati

Introduction

The Sidilu Mallikarjunaswamy temple on the top of Bettadapura hill is one of the hidden marvels of Karnataka. Bettadapura or “Land of Hills” is known for the famous Sidilu Mallikarjuna Swamy temple which was built by the Cholas more than 1000 years ago and has Some been damaged, have to climb a hillock to reach there through a flight of 4000 steps. On the summit of the hill, there is a temple dedicated to one of the trinity deities, Lord Shiva, in the form of MallikArjuna.

Puranic Significance

The temple is built on a plateau and is a simple stone structure with a Gopuram. The place has traditionally been associated as ‘Srigiri’ from the times of epics. The hillock representing the last span of Western Ghats is also known as Vijayagiri and Vijayachala. From the lithic records available, Paramabbe, wife of Ganga Bhutuga I, circa 7th century AD was ruling from this place known as Kurugal. The Gangas were succeeded by the Cholas, Vijayanagara and Chengalva rulers. The temple datable to circa 12th century AD belongs to the Chola-Hoysala period. There are many inscriptions in the temple one of them refers to a grant of 33 villages in 1586 AD by Piriya Chengalva. On the walls of the temple are nearly half a dozen inscriptions, of which two announce grants from a chieftain of Sosale. The temple is completely ruins. After Chola as renovated the temple. But now the temple is partially dilapidated condition. The temple on the summit of the hill, The main shrine comprising of sanctum, ardhamandapa and navaranga is enclosed by a series of pillared structures which are obviously later additions. There is a gateway in Vijayanagara style with a tallrayagopura at the foot of the hill. The inner ceiling of this gopura has paintings of Vijayanagara times depicting floral designs and pictures of some sages, prominently in black and red colours. The pillars of the navaranga are short and cylindrical and pilasters on the garbhagriha walls have Chola-Hoysala features. There are huge copper vessels of antiquity here to indicate large scale feeding of pilgrims and the enshrined deity is also called Annadani (donor of cooked rice) Mallikarjuna.

Beliefs

One significance of the temple is the fact that the temple is believed to be hit by lightning at least once a year around Deepavali time. Hence derives the name “Sidilu” meaning lightning in Kannada. Also a jaatre or procession is held once a year during Deepavali in which many people from the surrounding villages take part by carrying the idols of Lord Ganesha, Shiva and Parvati to the top of the hill and bring it back by evening.