Shri Guru Kottureshwara Temple

Origin

Kotturu (Kannada: ಕೊಟ್ಟೂರು) is named after Saint Kottureshwara, so its history stems from the history of Guru Kottureshwara. Once on the Earth when the backward and the Veerashaiva religion was under threat, Lord Shiva and Parvathi from Heaven (Kailasa) ordered Nandi to go to Sarasipura/Shikapura (the earlier name of Kottur) and protect the innocent people. So Lord Nandi disguised in a form of a saint and reached Shikapura.

This Saint was later called by people as Kottureshwara (Kottu or Kodu in Kannada means "Give" and Eshwar means "Lord Shiva"), the one who gives blessings.

Kotturu is also famous for a dish called mandakki: Menasinakai. There are different varieties of mandakki. Devotees make it a point to have this dish when they visit.

Ancient history

It is believed that Darbar Mutta (or Dodda Mutta or Hire Mutta) (Shrine) used to be a temple of Lord Veerabhadra. Once people started visiting Lord Kottureswara to get the blessings, they stopped worshiping Lord Veerabhadra. Lord Veerabhadra complained about this to Lord Kottureshwara. Then the Guru asked him to occupy another place called Kodathgudda where Lord Veerabhadra Swamy temple is now. This is an equally famous temple in this region.

Nandi who disappeared from the Kailasa (Heaven) and appeared in the image of an untidy saint in the Shikapura or Sarasipura Shrine (Murkal Mutta: The three stone temple or shrine). The presence of the Rushi (singer of sacred hymns, also an inspired poet or sage) spread throughout the Sarasipura. People started troubling Nandi by throwing stones and using bad words. All the people who troubled Nandi lost their eyes and become blind. The people realized their mistake and bowed their heads in front of the saint. By this incident Nandi who was in a disguised form became famous and people started visiting him to solve their problems. It is said that one day, a buffalo died and the cowboy approached the Saint to save the buffalo; then the Saint kept his hand on the buffalo's head, the dead buffalo got back its life. Day by day the popularity of the saint increased. Saint offered his blessings with Shiva accompanied in his heart to all the people and solved the people's problem.

Lord Kottureshwara temple has been classified into four Muttas (Shrines):

Kotturamma (Parvathi's temple) is neither the wife or related to Lord Kottureshwara. She is a form of Goddess Parvathi. There is a temple outskirt of Kottur. The Karnam family of Kottur maintains it. There is a festival in every August where in which lakhs of people attend this festival

Temple activities

There is annual fair which happens just before MahaShivaratri. The devotees from all over the Karnataka and other states assemble here to witness the fair and car festival. Karthikotsava is celebrated during December. Karlingeshwara family members are taking care of this deity. Only their family members perform all the ritual activities for the deity. The number of devotees visiting the shrine will be higher during the full moon days.

Festival activities

Devotees from all over Karnataka and other states visit this place during Guru Kottureshwara Theru (Rathothsava) held just before Maha Shivaratri during every year. Generally, it falls 3 days earlier to Mahashivarathri. Every year there will be around 200000 to 300000 devotees gather during Rathosthava. The Lord Guru Kottureshwara idol is kept inside the Ratha and then he is served milk (Kannada: ಗಿಣ್ಣು-ಹಾಲು) by the tribal people. It is believed that every year cow or buffalo or goat gives birth to their young ones on this day to this tribal family; the milk which is obtained at this time is served to the Lord. Then the ratha moves based on the particular Nakshatra called mula which matches at some time on that particular day. This ratha does not move unless and until this Nakshatra matches to mula. Once the Nakshatra is matched, the ratha moves a bit on its own. This is one amazing thing to watch; it signifies that Lord Kottureshwara is now inside the ratha. Only then the devotees will be able to pull the ratha by chanting mantra "Om Shri Guru Kottureshwaraya Namaha", "Kotturu Doreye, Ninagyaru Sariya, Sari Sari Yendavara, Agnyana Thoreye.. Bahuparak, Bahuparak, Bahuparak||". Later when the ratha starts moving, the devotees offer flower garlands, coconuts, and bananas to the Lord Kottureshwara.

Some of the devotees reach Kottur by walking from their native places which are normally called as Padha Yatra (procession). Recent past, the devotees are walking from Mundaragi, Gadag, Shimoga, Davanagere, Hassan, Chitradurga during Rathosthava (Car Festival). Year on year the devotees walking from various places has been increased significantly. The surrounding villages / town / nearby people would help & serve food, fruits, fruit juice, eateries, medicines to the devotees (who travel all the way to Kottur with their bare foot during Rathosthava) as part of their tribute to the Lord Guru Kottureshwara. On reaching the place Kottur, devotees visit Darbar Mutta first, then the remaining three shrines and then stay at Gachina Mutta or other Muttas.

During the month of December, there will be Karthikotsava that is celebrated for about six weeks, where they light the Diya_(lamp)in the temple. Diya is small earthen lamp that is specially lit on Diwali for puja and decoration purposes. A cotton wick is used in Diya_(lamp) and oil or ghee serves as the burning fuel. The whole shrine will be glowing brightly with these beautiful Diya_(lamp).

Prasadam activities

Staying facilities

Road

There are direct K.S.R.T.C. (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) buses to Kotturu from Bangalore during the night. Passengers have to board the bus going to Hagaribommanahalli and Harapanahalli. There are some special buses provided by the K.S.R.T.C. to reach Kotturu during this car festival. There are many buses to Kudligi, Harapanahalli, and Chitradurga from where you can get buses to Kottur.

Railway station

Alight at Harihar and then catch a bus; K.S.R.T.C. buses are available from here to reach Kotturu. In future, there will be direct trains from Harihar / Hospet to Kottur (expected to start from March 2, 2014.

Airports

The nearest airport is at Hubli and an international airport is at Bengaluru.