Kuruvathi Basaveshwara Temple – Karnataka

Address

Kuruvathi Basaveshwara Temple – Karnataka

Karnataka 583217

Moolavar

Basaveshwara

Introduction

Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple at Kuruvathi is one of the ancient and historic temples at the extreme south-western corner of Hoovina Hadagali taluk, Vijayanagara District, Karnataka, India. This temple is on the bank of Tungabhadra river, 10 km from Halavagalu and 2 km from Mylara and 36 km from Ranebennur and 326 km from Bangalore.

Puranic Significance

Kurubara Hatti=Kuru+Hatti=Kuru+vatti= Kuruvathi got its name because the Lord Basaveshwara/Nandi came here to heal the kuru— the wounds of the devotees.

Sri Kuruvathi Basaveshwara is one of the forms of Nandi. The holy temple is dedicated to Nandi who is in the form of a bull. It is believed that Lord Nandi came here in search of Lord Shiva (Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy), found him on the bank of Tungabhadra River, sat in front of him and started worshiping him from then on.

Shri Kuruvathi Basaveshwara Swamy Temple is around 600 years old, built in accordance with Vijayanagara architecture during the period (1336–1565).

Lord Nandi, also known as Basaveshwara or Basavanna, is believed by followers to be a very merciful, being the fulfiller of every wish made to him by the devotees. He provides the blessing to the people by healing the wounds of their life. Lord Nandi is worshiped here as the main deity. In Kuruvathi, Lord Basaveshwara’s idol is 10 feet long and 9 feet high. Here Lord Basaveshwara fulfills the request of the devotees and blesses them and their families if one offers prayer to him from Bhakti.

This temple consists of a Garbhagriha, sukanasi, a Navaranga connecting the sanctum and outer Mandapa and a Rangamantapa. The Mandapa are built on square or polygonal plinths with carved friezes that are four to five feet high and have ornate stepped entrances on all four sides with miniature elephants or with beast. The Mandapas are supported by ornate pillars.

Kuruvathi is also known as Dakshina Kashi/Varanasi, as the Tungabhadra river flows from east to west, because in Kashi/Varanasi the Ganges river flows from east to west.