Kotilingeshwara Temple

Kotilingeshwara is the presiding deity of the temple of the same name in the village of Kammasandra in India. Kammasandra is a small village situated in Kolar district of Karnataka state. It is about five kilometers from Kolar Gold Fields and about 6 Kilometers from Aalamaram. This place has the distinction of having one of the largest Shivalinga in the world.

The temple boasts of having the largest Linga in Asia which stands 108 feet (33 m) tall. In front of this huge Linga there is a huge Nandi (Animal mount of Lord Shiva) which is 35 feet (11 m) tall. The Nandi is installed over a platform which is 60 feet (18 m) in length, 40 feet (12 m) in width and 4 feet (1.2 m) in height.

There are eleven small temples of various deities constructed within the premises of the Lord Kotilingeshwara temple. The first to be constructed is the Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Maheshwara temple, followed by the main deity temple Lord Kotilingeshwara. The sequence of the other temples are Lord Venkataramani Swamy Temple, Goddess Annapoorneshwari Temple, Lord Panduranga Swamy Temple, Lord Panchamukha Ganapathy temple, Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita Temple, Lord Anjaneya Temple, Goddess Kannika Parameshwari Temple and finally Goddess Karumaari Amma Temple.

nside the Goddess Kannika Parameswari temple, a Shiva Linga called "Shiva Panchayathi" is installed. The idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Kumaraswamy, Goddess Parvati and Nandi are arranged around the Linga, Giving an essence that all these Gods are offering their prayers to the Linga. A water tank is set up close to the Linga. The water is used by the devotees to offer their prayers by performing Abhisheka to the Linga with utmost devotion and faith.

DAILY POOJA :

Poojas are performed to all the installed lingas every day at 6:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. by 10 Priests along with Drums and Music. The Priests recite mantras and pour water on each and every installed linga.

Kotilingeshwara Temple :

• Daily pooja is performed at six in the morning and six in the evening by priests.
• There are drums and music at the time of the pooja.
• Mantras are recited and holy water is poured on the lingas.
• Devotees can offer prayers to Kotilingeshwara by installing shivalingas.
• The Kotilingeshwara temple also has rest house facilities.
• Devotees who want to reside in the guest houses may have to do prior bookings.
• Annadhanam (free food) is provided to all the devotees every afternoon.
• Over 2 Lakh devotees visit the temple on Maha Shivratri every year.
• There is a meditation hall near the Exhibition hall which is specifically built for the pilgrims to wish to meditate.

BEST TIME TO VISIT :

Between July and January

HOW TO REACH :

• By Air   -Bangalore International Airport is the nearest airport.
• By Rail -Bangarapet Railway Station and Marikuppam Railway Station are the nearest railheads to reach Kotilingeshwara Shiva Temple.
• By Bus  -Kolar is about 68 km from Bangalore. Buses ply on regularly from Bangalore.