Teru Malleshvara Temple, Hiriyur, Karnataka

Teru Malleshvara Temple, Hiriyur, Karnataka

Teru Malleshvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Hiriyur Town in Hiriyur Taluk in Chitradurga District in Karnataka, India. The temple is famously called as Dakshina Kashi. The temple is situated on the banks of Vedavati river. The temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India. Hiriyur was called as Ghanapuri during ancient times.

Legends

An ardent devotee of Lord Shiva named Belavadi Hema Reddy Mallamma was a resident of this town. She used to travel to Varanasi every year by foot. As she became older, she prayed to Lord Shiva and conveyed her inability to walk to Varanasi to offer her prayers. Pleased with her prayers, Lord Shiva appeared in her dream and informed her that she need not come to Varanasi to see him, he himself would come and reside in Hiriyur. As promised, Lord Shiva is said to have incarnated in the Oralukallu (A cylindrical shaped stone used for grinding purpose in the households). Mallamma worshipped this stone sincerely. The stone worshipped by her later came to be called as Teru Malleshwara.

History

The temple was built around 1466 CE during the rule of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. Kenchana Nayaka was ruling Hiriyur province in 17^th century CE. Rangappa Nayaka, ruler of Sira, attacked Hiriyur in 1637 CE. Kenchana Nayaka requested help from Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka, ruler of Chitradurga by sending the ear studs of his wife through spies. Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka came to rescue Kenchana Nayaka with his army.

The combined armies of Hiriyur and Chitradurga defeated Rangappa Nayaga. After their victory, Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka along with Kenchana Nayaka worshipped Teru Malleswara Swamy and offered the ear studs to Lord Shiva. Hiriyur province was annexed to Chitradurga in later days. Medakari Nayaka II, Polygar of Chitradurga province, built the gopuram of Teru Malleswara Swamy Temple.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards west with five tiered rajagopuram on the southern side. Nandi, Balipeedam and Deepa Sthamba can be found facing towards the sanctum in the outer prakaram. The deepa sthamba is about 45 feet tall with a pavilion at the top enshrining a nandi and 8 lamps in the form of huge iron cups, two in each direction and would be lit once in a year. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, navaranga and mukha mandapa.

The mukha mandapa has entrances on three sides. The ceiling of the mukha mandapa has murals depicting scenes from the Shiva Purana and the Ramayana.  The navaranga has metallic idols of Chandramouleswara and Uma Maheshwara seated on Nandi. The entrance of the antrala is guarded by dvarapalas. The dedicatory block on the lintel of the antrala doorway has Ganesha. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Teru Malleshvara in the Linga form.

Festivals

The Teru Malleshvara Jatra is celebrated annually for a week starting from the full moon day in the month of magha (Jan-Feb).

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Hiriyur Bus Stand, 41 Kms from Chitradurga, 41 Kms from Sira, 45 Kms from Chitradurga Railway Station, 169 Kms from Bengaluru and 183 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. Hiriyur is situated on Bengaluru to Chitradurga route (NH 48). All the buses from Bangalore going towards Hubli, Belgaum, Davanagere and Bellary pass through Hiriyur.

Location