Bethuru Sri Kalleshwara Temple, Karnataka

Address

Bethuru, Davanagere District,

Location map: 14.491238, 75.943752

Diety

Kalleshwara Amman: Parvati

Introduction

Kalleshwara temple built by the Cholas in the district of Davanagere, few temples in this region and Northern Karnataka built by the Cholas in the post BadamiChalukyan era. Bethuru is a small village lost in oblivion, the village of Bethuru which is located at a distance of about 4 km such a beautiful temple in a sheer state of neglect, without any care or maintenance. This temple was built either by Rashtrakutas or Nolambas between the 8th and 9th centuries. Later between 11th -13th century, this temple underwent a few additions/renovation under the KalyanaChalukyas/ UchangiPandyas/ Hoysalas. Many hero-stones found here which are now kept near the temple belong to these dynasties. The most pleasing sight here is that of a beautiful carving on the ceiling panel of ‘Gajasura Samara/ Gajasurasamhara’ (depiction of Lord Shiva slaying the elephant demon Gajasura) in the central portion, surrounded by the Ashtadikapalas. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of a Linga, with murtis of goddesses Saraswathi and Sapthamatrikas and Lord Subramanya kept in the Navaranga of the temple. The Shikara of the temple is a perfect example of early Cholan architecture. This temple definitely needs and deserves more care and maintenance in order to be preserved for future generations.

Puranic Significance

An old man forms this village as the caretaker of Sri Kalleshwara temple. He visits the temple daily to do the necessary cleaning of the temple and decks up the god here with the flowers he collects. Though there are no daily pujas/rituals being performed here, he tries his best to keep the temple alive by lighting deepas (lamps) every day. He shares his personal experience about how doctors gave up hope on his survival due to his chronic diabetic condition and that he would survive only for a few days. But ever since he started visiting this temple daily, he has only felt better, without facing any major health issues. He went on to explain that nobody in the village is interested in the upbringing of the temple and its maintenance, and whatever little money was raised to restore the temple was taken off by a few greedy people who ran away from the village and never returned. A lot of snakes happen to visit this temple regularly and embrace the Shiva Linga here, with one such incident having occurred recently during the Dasara festival. He showed us the remains of the shed skin of a snake inside the temple as a proof. He has carefully preserved it and shows it off to visitors with pride.