Kotilingeshwara Temple Timings, History, Dress Code, Maha Shivaratri Festival

If you are looking for a spiritual and serene place to visit in Karnataka, you should not miss the Kotilingeshwara Temple. This temple is famous for having the largest and tallest Shivalinga in Asia, as well as millions of other Shivalingas of different sizes. It is a popular pilgrimage site for Shiva devotees, especially during the Maha Shivaratri festival.

In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about this temple, including its timings, history, how to reach it, places to visit nearby, and dress code. Read on to find out more.

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Kotilingeshwara Temple Timings

The Kotilingeshwara Temple is open every day from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. You can visit the temple at any time of the day, but the best time to witness the beauty and grandeur of the Shivalingas is during the sunrise and sunset.

The temple also conducts daily poojas for all the installed Shivalingas, with music and drums. You can participate in the poojas by offering flowers, milk, or water to the lingas. You can also install your own Shivalinga on the temple premises, with your name engraved on it, for a fee starting from INR 6,000.

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Kotilingeshwara Temple History

The Kotilingeshwara Temple was established in 1980 by Swami Sambha Shiva Murthy, a former atheist who became a devotee of Shiva after a miraculous experience. He started installing Shivalingas in the temple site, to reach one crore (ten million) lingas.

The temple got its name from this ambitious project, as ‘Koti’ in Kannada means a crore. The temple currently has about 6.5 lakh (650,000) Shivalingas, and the project is still ongoing. The temple also has the largest and tallest Shivalinga in Asia, measuring 108 feet (33 meters) in height and 35 feet (11 meters) in width.

Along with this, there is a huge Nandi statue, which is 11 meters tall and sits on a 60-foot by 40 feet platform. The temple also has 11 smaller temples dedicated to various deities, such as Vishnu, Brahma, Maheshwara, Annapoorneshwari, Karumaari Amma, Venkataramani Swamy, Panduranga Swamy, Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Panchamukha Ganapathy, Anjaneya, and Kannika Parameshwari.

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How to Reach Kotilingeshwara Temple From Bangalore

The Kotilingeshwara Temple is located in Kammasandra, a small village in Kolar district, Karnataka. It is about 97 kilometers away from Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka. You can reach the temple by road, rail, or air. Here are the options:

• By road: You can drive to the temple by taking the NH 75 from Bangalore to Kolar, and then taking the SH 5 to Kammasandra. The journey will take about two hours, depending on the traffic. You can also take a bus from Bangalore to Kolar, and then hire a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to the temple. The bus fare will be around INR 100 per person, and the taxi or auto-rickshaw fare will be around INR 300 to 400.
• By rail: You can take a train from Bangalore to Kolar, and then take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to the temple. The train fare will be around INR 50 to 100 per person, and the taxi or auto-rickshaw fare will be around INR 300 to 400. The train journey will take about one and a half hours, and the taxi or auto-rickshaw journey will take about half an hour.
• By air: You can fly to Bangalore International Airport, and then take a taxi or a bus to the temple. The airport is about 75 kilometers away from the temple. The taxi fare will be around INR 1,500 to 2,000, and the bus fare will be around INR 200 to 300. The taxi journey will take about one and a half hours, and the bus journey will take about two and a half hours.

Summary: You can reach the temple from Bangalore by road, rail, or air. The road journey will take about two hours, the rail journey will take about one and a half hours, and the air journey will take about one and a half to two and a half hours.

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Places to Visit Near Kotilingeshwara Temple

The Kotilingeshwara Temple is not only a spiritual destination, but also a gateway to explore the rich heritage and culture of Kolar district. There are many places to visit near the temple, such as:

• Kolar Gold Fields: Kolar Gold Fields, or KGF, is a mining region that was once the second-largest producer of gold in India. It is about 25 kilometers away from the temple. You can visit the old mines, the colonial buildings, the museum, and the cemetery, and learn about the history and legacy of the gold industry.
• Anthargange: Anthargange is a hill range that is famous for its natural caves, springs, and trekking trails. It is about 30 kilometers away from the temple. You can enjoy the scenic views, the adventure activities, and the wildlife at this place.
• Avani: Avani is a village that is known for its ancient temples and legends. It is about 35 kilometers away from the temple. You can visit the Ramalingeshwara Temple, which is believed to be the birthplace of Lava and Kusha, the sons of Rama and Sita. You can also see the rock formations, the ashram, and the pond, which are associated with the Ramayana epic.
• Kolaramma Temple: Kolaramma Temple is a temple dedicated to Goddess Durga, who is worshipped as Kolaramma by the locals. It is about 40 kilometers away from the temple. You can admire the architecture, the sculptures, and the inscriptions of this temple, which dates back to the 10th century.

Summary: There are many places to visit near the temple, such as Kolar Gold Fields, Anthargange, Avani, and Kolaramma Temple, which offer a glimpse of the history, culture, and nature of Kolar district.

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Kotilingeshwara Temple Dress Code

The Kotilingeshwara Temple is a sacred place, and hence, you should follow a modest and respectful dress code while visiting it. You should avoid wearing shorts, skirts, sleeveless tops, or any other revealing clothes.

You should also cover your head with a scarf or a cap, and remove your shoes before entering the temple premises. You should also refrain from smoking, drinking, or eating non-vegetarian food inside the temple. You should maintain silence and decorum, and follow the instructions of the temple staff and priests.

Maha Shivaratri Celebration at Kotilingeshwara Temple

Maha Shivaratri is one of the most important festivals for Shiva devotees, and there is no better place to celebrate it than the Kotilingeshwara Temple. This temple has the largest and tallest Shivalinga in Asia, along with millions of other Shivalingas of different sizes. On this auspicious day, the temple is visited by millions of devotees from across the country and the world, who come to offer their prayers and offerings to Lord Shiva.

The festival of Maha Shivaratri falls in February or March, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. It marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. It is also believed that on this night, Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. The devotees observe a fast, chant mantras, and perform rituals to please Lord Shiva and seek his blessings.

The Kotilingeshwara Temple is decorated with lights and flowers, and a grand celebration is held in night. The devotees can participate in the special poojas, abhishekas, and aartis that are conducted by the temple priests. They can also install their Shivalingas in the temple premises, with their names engraved on them. The temple also provides free food and accommodation for the devotees who stay overnight.

The highlight of the celebration is the Mahamangala Aarti, which is performed at midnight when the Shivalinga is bathed with milk, honey, curd, ghee, and water. The devotees also offer bilva leaves, flowers, fruits, and sweets to the Shivalinga. The atmosphere is filled with devotion, joy, and peace, as the devotees sing and dance in praise of Lord Shiva.

The Maha Shivaratri celebration at the Kotilingeshwara Temple is a unique and divine experience that every Shiva devotee should witness at least once in their lifetime. It is a festival that celebrates the power, grace, and compassion of Lord Shiva, and also the bond between him and his devotees.

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Final Thoughts on Kotilingeshwara Temple

The Kotilingeshwara Temple is a unique and divine destination for Shiva devotees and tourists alike. It has the largest and tallest Shivalinga in Asia, along with millions of other Shivalingas of different sizes. It also has a huge Nandi statue and 11 other temples for different deities. It is a place where you can experience the bliss and grace of Lord Shiva, and also explore the rich heritage and culture of Kolar district.

You can visit the temple at any time of the year, but the best time is during the Maha Shivaratri festival, when the temple is decorated and illuminated, and millions of devotees throng to offer their prayers and offerings.

You can reach the temple from Bangalore by road, rail, or air, and also visit the nearby places of interest, such as Kolar Gold Fields, Anthargange, Avani, and Kolaramma Temple. You should follow a modest and respectful dress code, and respect the temple rules and customs.

We hope this blog post has given you all the information you need to plan your visit to the Kotilingeshwara Temple. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading.

FAQs on Kotilingeshwara Temple

What is special about Kotilingeshwara Temple?

Kotilingeshwara Temple is renowned for housing the world’s tallest Shivalinga, standing at a majestic 108 feet. Alongside, it features an impressive 35-foot-tall statue of Lord Nandi. Adding to its uniqueness, the temple complex is adorned with over 10 million smaller Shivalingas, contributing to its spiritual significance and making it a must-visit pilgrimage site.

How to visit Kotilingeshwara temple from Bangalore?

To visit Kotilingeshwara Temple from Bangalore, you can take the metro to Krishnarajapuram, proceed to Krishnarajapurm station by foot, board a train to Bangarapet and then hire a taxi to the temple. Alternatively, a direct taxi from Bangalore to Kotilingeshwara offers a convenient option.

Can I wear jeans to Kotilingeshwara Temple?

Jeans are not permitted for women at Kotilingeshwara Temple, as the dress code calls for traditional Indian attire such as saris, salwar with a dupatta, or long skirts that cover the ankles. Visitors should respect these guidelines to maintain the temple’s cultural integrity.

In which district is Kotilingeshwara located?

Kotilingeshwara Temple is situated in the Kolar district of Karnataka, India. It is renowned for housing one of the world’s largest Shiva lingams, drawing numerous pilgrims and tourists to the area.