Kotilingeshwara
is the principal deity of the Kotilingeshwara temple. This temple lies in the
Kammasandra village in the district of Kolar in 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. Over 2 Lakh
divotees visit the temple on Maha Shivratri every year.
The
main attraction of this peaceful retreat, which is surrounded by plush
greenery, is a huge Shivalinga. Measuring 108 ft (33 m), this shivalinga is
tallest of its kind in the world and accompanying it is a 35 ft (11 m) tall
Basava, surrounded by lakhs of small shivalingas spread over an area of 15
acres (61,000 m2). So far, around 90 lakh shivalingas have been installed. The
entire project involves the installation of one crore shivalingas of various
sizes, hence the name ‘Kotilingeshwara’.
The
credit for constructing the Kotilingeshwara temple rests with Swamy Sambha
Shivamurthy. The temple can be visited from early morning till about 9 PM at
night.
It
is said that Lord Rama after defeating Ravana travelled from Dhanuskodi to
Rameshwaram and installed the Linga. This was a noble way to providing moksha
to those who perished. Lord Rama offered his prayers to this Linga and prayed
for people who laid their lives down in the battle. It is said that in the Kali
Yuga, the Kotilingeshwara temple has been built for instilling the same culture
of peace, divinity and prosperity.
The
Devotees can offer their prayers to Lord Kotilingeshwara by installing Lingas.
The price for the Lingas depends on the size of the Linga to be installed.
These informations will be available with the Executive Officer of the temple.
The Lingas will be installed in the name of the devotee. One can find the names
of the devotees carved on the Lingas installed and prayers will be offered
every day for the well being of the donors.
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