Mylara Lingeshwara Temple, Karnataka

Address

Mylara Lingeshwara Temple, Karnataka
Mylara, Bellary District,

Karnataka – 583217

Moolavar

Mylara Lingeshwara

Introduction

• Location: The Mylara Lingeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Mylara, a form of Lord Shiva, situated in Mylara, Karnataka, India. The temple is believed to be over 1500 years old.
• Proximity:
  • 2 km from the Tungabhadra River
  • 36 km from Hadagali
  • 36 km from Ranebennur
  • 39 km from Harapanahalli

Puranic Significance:

The origins of the Mylara Lingeshwara Temple are steeped in mythology:

• The Myth of Mallasura and Maniksura:
  • A demon named Mallasura and his brother Maniksura meditated and pleased Lord Brahma, receiving a boon that made them invincible to humans.
  • The demons began troubling the ascetics and saints, who sought protection from Lord Shiva. In response, Lord Shiva took a new form to defeat the demons.
  • Shiva waged a fierce battle against the demons and killed them with his bow and arrow. However, during the battle, Shiva lost his powers and had to retreat to the Tungabhadra River.
  • To assist him, Lord Veerabhadra, Shiva’s aide, struck the earth with his tresses, from which emerged five warriors known as the Panchaveeras (or Kanchaveeras). They captured the demons and handed them over to Lord Shiva.
  • Lord Mylara then killed the demons and made various ornaments from their body parts:
    • Teeth as a necklace
    • Intestines as a turban
    • Skulls as bowls
    • Mouths as a damaruga (hand drum)
    • Skin as a coat
    • Nerves as a wick for a lamp and fats as oil

Special Features:

1. Goravara Kunita (Gorava Dance):
   • The Gorava Dance is a popular ritual performed by devotees in Karnataka, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
   • Goravas are devotees who dance in reverence, often wearing a black woolen rug and mimicking the bark of dogs. The dance is performed with percussions like damru and bells.
   • The Mylara Linga is symbolized as a dog, and the gorava dance reflects this belief.
2. Karnika Utsava:
   • The Karnika Utsava is part of the grand Mailara Jatre (festival), during which a wooden bow, representing the one used by Lord Shiva to kill the demons, is placed in the Denkana Maradi (the ceremonial grounds).
   • Goravas carry the bow and climb to the top of it. Once at the top, they experience a moment of divine inspiration, and a prophecy is spoken out loud.
   • After uttering the prophecy, the gorava descends, and the devotees carry him in a procession.

Festivals:

• The Mylara Jatra is the most renowned festival in the region, attracting many devotees.
• The festival includes significant rituals, such as the Karnika Utsava (prophecy ceremony) and the Pavada (body piercing ritual), as part of the Mailara Jatre.

Century/Period

1500 years old

Nearest Bus Station

Bellary, Mylara

Nearest Railway Station

Bangalore and Hubli 

Nearest Airport

Bangalore and Hubli 

Location on Map

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