District: Bellary
Town: Mylara
Temple: Kuruvathi Basaveshwara Temple
Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple – Overview
The Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The reason for the name is because it is believed that Basaveshwara came here to cure the Kuru or wounds of his devotees. Basaveshwara is Lord Shiva’s Bull Nandi.
Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple – Mythology
It is said that the Divine Bull Nandi came here in search of Lord Shiva, found him here and sat in front of him in meditation. He is now revered as Basaveshwara or Basavanna. He is believed to be very merciful and grants every wish of his true devotees.
Kuruvathi Basaveshwara Temple – Architecture
This temple was built in the style of Vijayanagara architecture and is around 600 years old. The temple has a Grabhagraha, a Sukanasi and another hall connecting to the main mandapa. This mandapa is on raised plinths which has carved friezes all around it. There are four entrances to the mandapa, all ornately decorated. There are beautiful pillars all around the mandapa. Inside the sanctum, there is a huge ten feet long and six feet tall figure of Nandi or Basaveshwara.
Kuruvathi is called Dakshina Kasi because, like the River Ganga in Kasi, the Tungabhadra here flows from East to West.
How to Get to Kuruvathi Basaveshwara Temple
The nearest airport is located at Hubli, and the nearest railway station is present in Dharwad. There are no direct buses to Kuruvathi, but there are buses to nearby points like Ranebennur, Mylara, and Neelgunda etc. From these places, you can get another bus to Kuruvathi, or an auto-rickshaw.
Kuruvathi Basaveshwara Temple – Facts
- Regular pujas are conducted at the temple
- Special pujas are offered on Shivaratris
- Rathotsava called Kuruvathi Theru is held during Maha Shivaratri
The Nandi idol is kept inside the ratha, there is a wait till Magha Nakshatra and then devotees pull the ratha and the idol is taken in procession
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