Kotilingeshwara Temple in Kolar Karnataka

Kotilingeshwara Temple or Koti Lingeshwara Temple is a famous Lord Shiva Temple situated in the village of Kammasandra in Kolar district of Karnataka, India. Kotilingala Temple is well known to have the biggest Shiva Linga in the world, measuring 108 ft (33 m), the only one of its kind. Associated with the tallest Shiva Lingam is a 35 ft (11 m) tall Basava, surrounded by numerous small Shivalingams which spread over an area of 15 acres. The entire project includes the installation of One Crore Shiva Lingams of various sizes and hence the name ‘Kotilingeshwara’. Kotilingeshwara Shiva Temple is about 5 km from Kolar Gold Fields and about 6 km from Aalamaram. The annual Maha Shivaratri Festival celebrated at the temple attracts thousands of devotees from all over India.

Kotilingeshwara Temple Features
A huge Nandi (Nandishwara – the Vahana of Shiv) which is 35 feet (11 m) tall lies in front of this huge Shiva Linga. The Nandi stands on a platform which is about 4 feet in height. About eleven small temples of various deities are constructed within the premises of the Koti Lingeshwara Swamy Temple. There are temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Maheshwara, followed by the main deity temple Lord Kotilingeshwara. Other important 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 Goddess Karumaari Amma Temple.

A Shiva Linga called "Shiva Panchayathi" is installed inside the Goddess Kannika Parameswari temple. The idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Kumaraswamy, Goddess Parvati and Nandi are arranged around the Linga. These idols are displayed in a way that all these Gods are offering their prayers to the Linga. A water tank which is close to the Linga is used by the devotees for performing Abhishekam to the Lingam. There are two Naga Linga Flower Trees or Cannon Ball Flower Trees in which the unmarried women tie a yellow thread around it, offering prayers to Lord Lingeswara for a happy married life.

Kotilingeshwara Temple History

Ramayana, one of the greatest ancient Sanskrit epics, explains the battle between Lord Sri Rama (seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and the demon King Ravana. The long and deadly battle showed the victory of Lord Rama. It is said that he travelled to Rameswaram from Dhanuskodi and installed a Linga in the banks of the river. Here, Lord Rama offered prayers to the Linga and prayed for all the people who lost their lives in the battle. This was held in the Threta Yuga.
Likewise, in Kali Yuga, to encourage the culture of divinity, peace and prosperity, Lord Kotilingeshwara temple was constructed over 13 acres of land in Kammasandra. The first Linga was installed on 10th October1980, followed by many Lingas in the subsequent years.
Daily Pooja

Worship services are performed to all the Lingas everyday at 6:00 am and 6:00 pm by 10 priests, along with drums and music. Mantras are recited and water is poured by the priests on each and every installed Linga.
Special Pooja

Devotees can offer their prayers to Lord Kotilingeshwara by installing Lingas. The Lingas will be installed in the name of the devotee and the names of the devotees are carved on the Lingas. Prayers are offered everyday for the welfare of the donator.
Other activities

Every afternoon, Annadhanam (free food) is provided to all the devotees.
How to reach Kotilingeshwara Temple 
Kolar is about 68 km from Bangalore. Buses ply on regularly from Bangalore. Bangalore International Airport is the nearest airport. Bangarapet Railway Station and Marikuppam Railway Station are the nearest railheads to reach Kotilingeshwara Shiva Temple.

The Divine Physician-Vaideeswaran Koil

 

The Lord is the author of all that is created. He is also the sustainer and the destructor of all that is manifested. As a sustainer he enriches and safeguards creation until the due period of dissolution arrives as assigned by Him. Hence the popular saying in Tamil fits aptly in the description of His omnipotence, “Avan Indri Or Anuvum Asaiyaadhu", meaning 'if not for Him, not an atom moves'. Lord Shiva, in Vaideeswaran Koil, as a healer par excellence resolves the health issues of mankind even today thereby testifying His sustaining attribute. The one who is in essence without any attributes.

 













The Legend
There are several legends associated with the temple. Lord Shiva descended from Kailash to heal the ailing with Mother Parvati following Him with a vessel containing Sanjeevini Thailam (medicinal oil) and the soil from the roots of the Vilva tree to aid Him in His mission. The Lord thus is worshiped as Vaideeswaran (The Master to physicians) and Parvati assumed the name Thaiyal Naayaki. Hence the name of the temple, Vaideeswaran Koil. 
 
As per the legend, King Veerasena, a devotee of Lord Shiva, in accordance with the words of His Guru offered worship to the Lord here in the interest of his son who was ailing from an incurable disease. It is said that the king smeared his body and as well as his son's body with the ash from the Jataayu Kundam of the temple which brought about a miraculous cure immediately.
It is also here that Lord Murugan received his 'Vel' or the spear in order to vanquish the demon Surapadman. The 'Siddhamirtha Theertham', a tank that lies in front of the Mother's shrine whose water is said to have cured the leprosy of Sevai or Ankaragan (the planet Mars) of leprosy. The water from this tank is also said to have cured a devotee called Sundaran of his leprosy. The severed head of one Thakkan, is said to have joined its body on the mere sprinkling of the water from this tank. It is a belief that the tank owes its miraculous healing powers to the nectar used by the Siddhas for Lord's Shiva's worship that had mixed with its water.
An interesting feature associated with the 'Siddhamirtha Theertam' is that the tank is free of frogs and snakes to this day. This is so because of Sage Sathanantha who declared that the tank should be free of the species as a frog chased by a snake jumped on him while he was engaged in penance.
The Lord here is said to have been worshipped by Jatayu (Pul), the bird king in Ramayana, Rig Veda (Irukku), Vel (Lord Muruga), Oor (Surya, the Sun God). Hence the place assumed the name PullirukkuVelur. However it is more known as Vaideeswaran Koil owing to the Lord's power to heal the ailing. It is also said that Lord Rama had performed the last rites of 'Jatayu', here. The ash from the Jatayu Kundam is said heal people miraculously.
 About The Temple
Vaiseeswaran Koil, dedicated to Lord Shiva is located on the banks of River Cauvery in Nagapattnam District of Tamil Nadu in South India. The presiding deities are Vaideeswaran or Vaidhyanadhaswamy and Thaiyal Naayaki. Selvamuthukumaraswamy's (Lord Murugan) shrine is also of great importance which is within the temple premises.
The Sthala Viruksham or the sacred tree associated with this temple is 'Neem'.

Worship
Jaggery and salt are dissolved in the Siddhamirtha Theertham invoking the Lord's blessings to cure tumours and lumps. Pepper and mustard offerings are made to be relieved of skin diseases and other ailments.
Angaaraka or Sevai Worship
This temple apart from being dedicated to Lord Shiva, Parvati and Lord Muruga, is also of great significance to Lord Sevaai or Angaaraka (The Planet Mars). It is one of the 9 Navagraha Sthalams dedicated to Sevaai (Mars). Hence people afflicted with the malefic planetary effect owing to the planet Mars offer their worship to Sevaai here
Festivals
Six worship services a day are offered to the Lord. Karthigai, Brahmotsava and Kandhar Shasti is celebrated with religious fervour and devotion.
Naadi Records (Naadi Jyotish)
 Vaideeswaran Koil is also famous for the Naadi or the recordings of people about their past, present and their future lives. The recordings are made on palm leaves and hence there came the existence of the palm leaf library. The recordings have been made by the Sages of the lore and are copied on fresh palm leaves time and again by initiated priests. Hence people flock here with the view to know their future.
 
Lets beseech the Lord Vaideeswara to cure our body and mind to ultimately be free of the major disease which is one's very 'body' itself which is the greatest cure thereby freeing us from all afflictions to abide in bliss !