Sirsi (Sahasralinga) Sahasralingeshwara Temple – Karnataka

Address

Sirsi (Sahasralinga) Sahasralingeshwara Temple – Sirsi Taluk, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka- 581402

Deity

Shiva

Introduction

Sahasralinga is a sacred pilgrimage site located near Sirsi in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India.

Puranic Significance:

• Sahasralinga is renowned for the thousands of Shiva Lingas (phallic symbols representing Lord Shiva) carved on rocks in the river and along its banks. These lingas were created under the patronage of Sadashivarayavarma, the king of the Sirsi kingdom, who ruled from 1678 to 1718.
• The site is also adorned with many Basava (bull) carvings in front of the Shivalingas.
• According to a local legend, after the Kurukshetra war, Lord Krishna suggested to the Pandavas that they needed to acquire a “Pushpa Mruga” (a divine animal) for a Rajasooryadwara Yaga. Bhima, one of the Pandavas, embarked on this quest.
• During his journey, Bhima encountered Hanuman resting on the path. He found it difficult to cross Hanuman’s tail, and it was later revealed that both Bhima and Hanuman possessed divine powers. Hanuman offered a hair from his tail to Bhima for protection.
• Bhima continued his journey with the “Pushpa Mruga,” and it agreed to follow him at the speed of his thoughts, symbolized by the tail hair provided by Hanuman.
• Whenever Bhima found it challenging to keep pace with the animal, he dropped a strand of the tail hair. Remarkably, a Shivalinga would appear at the spot, and the Pushpa Mruga would only proceed after worshiping the linga. This gave Bhima the time to adjust his speed.
• When Bhima reached the place known as Uppinangady, he faced further difficulties and dropped the remaining one thousand tail hairs. In response, a thousand Shivalingas emerged, and by the time the animal completed its worship, Bhima safely reached the Yagamantap (ritual altar). Thus, it is believed that a thousand Lingas are found in the temple vicinity.
• One of these Lingas is situated in the middle of the riverbed and becomes visible in the month of February. The lingas in Uppinangady are naturally formed and not carved.

Festivals:

• The linga is a symbol of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva. On the auspicious day of Mahashivaratri, thousands of pilgrims visit Sahasralinga to offer their prayers and devotion to Lord Shiva. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and reverence by devotees.

Century/Period/Age

1678-1718

Managed By

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)- Karnataka

Nearest Bus Station

Sirsi

Nearest Railway Station

Kanale Station

Nearest Airport

Hubli (HBX)

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