Sri Guru Kottur Basaveshwara or Kottureshwara Srine
at Kottur is an ancient Srine located at the Kudligi taluk.
Distances
This temple is 19 km from Kudligi, 28 km from
Hagaribommanahalli, 129 km from Davanagere and 253 km from Bangalore.
Origin
Kottur is named after Saint Kottureshwara, so its
history stems from the history of Guru Kottureshwara. Once on the Earth when
the Veerashaiva Sect was under threat, Lord Shiva and Parvathi from Heaven
(Kailasa) ordered Nandi to go to Sarasipura/Shikapura (the earlier name of
Kottur) and protect the innocent people. So Lord Nandi disguised in a form of
saint and reached Shikapura. This Saint was later called by people as
Kottureshwara (Kottu or Kodu in Kannada means "Give" and Eshwar means
"Lord Shiva"), the one who gives blessings.
Ancient
History
It is believed that Darbar Mutta or Dodda Mutta
or Hire Mutta (Srine) used to be a temple of Lord Veerabhadra. Once people
started visiting Lord Kottureshwara to get the blessings, they stopped
worshiping Lord Veerabhadra. Lord Veerabhadra complained about this to Lord
Kottureshwara. Then the Guru asked him to occupy another place called Kodadagudda
where Lord Veerabhadra Swamy temple is now. This is an equally famous temple in
this region.
Another
Legend
Nandi who disappeared from the Kailasa (Heaven) and appeared in the image of an untidy saint in the Shikapura or Sarasipura Srine (Murkal Mutta: The three stone temple or Srine). The presence of the Rushi (singer of sacred hymns, also an inspired poet or sage) spread throughout the Sarasipura. People started troubling Nandi by throwing stones and using bad words. All the people who troubled Nandi lost their eyes and become blind. The people realized their mistake and bowed their heads in front of the saint. By this incident Nandi who was in a disguise form became famous and people started visiting him to solve their problems. It is said that one day, a Nandi died and the cow boy approached to the Saint to save the Nandi; then the Saint kept his hand on the Nandi’s head, the dead Nandi got back its life. Day by day the popularity of the saint increased. Saint offered his blessings with Shiva accompanied in his heart to all the people and solved the people's problem.
Lord Kottureshwara temple has been classified into four Muttas (Srines):
- Murkal Mutta (Three Stone Srine): This is where Lord Nandi came first to earth.
- Thotal Mutta (Srine with Cradle): This is where Lord blesses devotees with a child.
- Darbar Mutta or Dodda Mutta (Kings Assembly Srine or Big Srine): This is where he used solve the problems of people.
- Gachina Mutta (Meditating Place): This is where Guru Kottureshwara reached Lord Shiva by meditating.
Kotturamma (Parvathi's temple) is neither the wife
or related to Lord Kottureshwara. She is a form of Goddess Parvathi. There is a
temple outskirts of Kottur of her. Also, there is a festival in every August
where in which lakhs of people attend this festival.
Temple
Activities
There is annual fair which happens just before Maha
Shivaratri. The devotees from all over the Karnataka and other states assemble
here to witness the fair and car festival. Karthikotsava is celebrated during
December.
Festival
activities
Devotees from all over Karanataka and other states
visit this place during Guru Kottureshwara Theru (Rathothsava) held just
before the Maha Shivaratri during February every year. The Lord Guru
Kottureshwara idol is kept inside the Ratha and then he is served milk by the
tribal people. It is believed that every year cow or goat gives birth to their
young ones on this day to this tribal family; the milk which is obtained at
this time is served to the Lord. Then the ratha moves based on the particular
Nakshatra called moola which matches at some time on that particular
day. This ratha does not move unless and until this Nakshatra matches to moola.
Once the Nakshatra is matched, the ratha moves a bit on its own. This is one
amazing thing to watch; it signifies that Lord Kottureshwara is now inside the
ratha. Only then the devotees will be able to pull the ratha by chanting
mantra. Later when the ratha starts moving, the devotees offer flower garlands,
coconuts and bananas to the Lord Kottureshwara.
Some of the devotees reach Kottur by walking from
their native places which is normally called as Paada Yatra
(procession). People from nearby villages serve them food, fruit, juice and
medicine on the way as part of their tribute to the Lord Guru Kottureshwara. On
reaching the place Kottur, devotees visit Darbar Mutta first, then the
remaining three Srines and then stay at Gachina Mutta or other Muttas.
During the month of December, there will be
Karthikotsava that is celebrated for about six weeks, where they light the
diyas in the temple. Diya are small earthen lamp that is specially lit on
Diwali for puja and decoration purposes. A cotton wick is used in diyas and oil
or ghee serves as the burning fuel. The whole Srine will be glowing bright with
these beautiful diyas.
The devotees are provided with Prasadam on Rathothsava day which is provided by the devotees of Davangere in form of dana.