Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple is an ancient abode of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s vehicle, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the Hoovina Hadagali taluk in the Vijayanagara District of Karnataka. The city of Vijayanagara is the modern-day Hampi. Located 10 km from Halavagalu and 2 km from Mylara, this temple assumes its name because Nandi heals the wounds (Kuru) or affiliations of the devotees.
Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple history
The ancient Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple is about 600 years old and houses the massive idol of Nandi, or the sacred bull, which is 10 feet long and 9 feet high. As per popular belief, the Nandi here heals the wounds or removes the afflictions in people’s lives. Benevolent, the Nandi here also fulfils the wishes of the devotees who worship him with devotion. Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River that flows east to west like the Ganges in Varanasi, Kuruvathi is also acclaimed as Dakshina Kashi/Varanasi. Devotees fervently chant “Jaya Namaha Pravathi Patheye Hara Hara Maha Deva”, “Om Namaha Shivaya” and “Om Shri Kuruvathi Basaveshwaraya Namaha” in this temple.
Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple architecture
The Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple, built in the Vijayanagara architectural style, contains a Garbagriha or the sanctum sanctorum, a Sukanasi or an external ornamented feature over the entrance to the sanctum. Also, a Navaranga (a passage) connects the sanctum to the outer mandapa and the Rangamandapa, a closed pillared hall. Ornate steps adorn the mandapa on all four sides with miniature elephants or beasts. Furthermore, carved pillars support the mandapas, built on square or polygonal plinths with carved friezes four to five feet high.
Festivals in Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple
Kuruvathi Theru (Car festival, Rathotsava) during Maha Shivaratri is the important festival of the Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple, where devotees from all over Karnataka and across the country throng to witness it. The idol of Lord Nandi is placed inside the Ratha, and devotees pull the Ratha with religious fervour at the time of Magha Nakshatra.
How to reach Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple
Kuruvathi temple is 446 KM from Bangalore, 10 KMS from Halavagalu and 2 KMS from Mylara. Ranebennur to Kuruvatti is 32.1 KM. There are no direct buses to Kuruvathi, with the KSRTC buses plying up to only a certain point from where one ought to resort to local transport. The nearest airport is Hubli, which is 116.5 km away. The closest railway stations are Ranebennur and Devaragudda, which are around 32 km away, from where people will have to depend on local transport to reach Kuruvathi.
Places to visit near Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple
Kuruvathi Mallikarjuna Swamy temple
Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary ‘(36 KM)
Hampi (141.5 KM)
To conclude, Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple is a place of religious and historical interest and worthy of visitation.