District: Gadag
Town: Itagi
Temple: Shabhulinga temple
Shambhulinga Temple – Overview
Shambhulinga temple lies in the district of Gadag. The principal deity worshipped in the Shambhulinga temple is Bhimambika. This temple is located in the state of Karnataka. The closest city is Davangere.
Shambhulinga Temple – Festivals
The annual car festival or jatra is held in the temple of Shambhulinga during the months of February or March. The images of the deity are taken on a palkhi. The festival is celebrated every year with great pomp and splendour. People flock here in large numbers to see the entire celebration. Prasadam (Annadham) is distributed here during festival time. This is an ideal time to visit the temple.
Bhimambika temple, Itagi. Photographer Manjunath Doddamani Gajendragad
Shambhulinga Temple – History
The Shambhulinga temple is about 1000 years old and it was under the control of a Chalukya king. The temple’s Garbhagriha has a Shiva linga and as per mythology it is supposed to be an Udbhava linga.
Shambhulinga Temple – Architecture
The temple has beautiful carvings and boasts of rich architecture. The architecture clearly reflects the Chalukya scriptures and Dravidian style of paintings. The temple has striking images of all the gods and goddesses and these are stone carved. The vimana, gopurams and the mantapa portray varied styles of sculptures. The Shambhulinga temple boasts of good quality and high polished stones which have been neatly cut and crafted. The pillars have beautiful images and carvings of various gods and goddesses.
Shambhulinga Temple – Mythology and Religious Significance
Shiva and Parvati are the principal deities that are worshipped at the Shambhulinga temple. The temple’s exterior has beautiful carvings with lotus and kirtimukha faces. You can see many Brahmanical images that are beautifully depicted in the pillars. Muslims invaders raided this temple during the year 1808-1809.
There is a mythological belief that people who come here with a strong belief and pray intensely attain success and prosperity.
Bhimbambika helps them get rid of their problems and lead a happy life.
How to get to Shabhulinga temple
The city of Hubli has good connectivity. It is possible to get to the temple from Hubli as it is well connected by Road, Railways and Airways. The North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) has excellent inter city bus services from Dharwad and Hubli.
There are private buses that ply on this route. Check for buses that ply from Hubli to this destination. Trains operate between Bangalore and Hubli. There are trains from Mumbai, Ahmadabad, Mysore, Howrah, and Chennai to Hubli. If you intend to reach Hubli by air, there are many airlines that have regular daily flights from Bangalore.
Also See: