Malay
or Male Mahadeshwara Temple
This
is a sacred place which is located around 140 km from Mysore. It is situated in
the eastern parts of Kollegal taluk in Chamarajanagar district. The height of
the hill is about 3000 feet from the sea level. Malay Mahadeshwara Hills also
known as MM Hills is surrounded by dense forest. The temple here is dedicated
to Lord Mahadeshwara (the incarnation Lord Shiva). The temple here attracts not
only the pilgrims but also nature lovers. A car festival is held in annually
Phalguna masa by a number of devotees.
The
ancient temple at Malay Mahadeshwara is very sacred and popular, Mahadeshwara
temple is surrounded by 77 hills in the Eastern Ghats. The Lord Sri
Mahadeshwara is said to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva.
It is
believed that, 600 years ago Mahadeshwara Swamy came here to perform penance in
Malay Mahadeshwara Hills. People believe that he is still performing penance in
the temple's sanctum sanctorum in the form of a Shiva Linga. Sri Malay
Mahadeshwara Swamy was using a tiger as his vehicle and performed number of
miracles around the hills to save the people living here. The miracles of Lord
Sri Mahadeshwara are beautifully sung by the village folk in Janapada Style.
Thousands
of devotees visit Malay Mahadeshwara Hills from Karnataka and the neighboring
state, Tamilnadu. Pilgrims who visit here will have a holy dip in Antaragange (Ganges from deep), near the
temple, this is a peculiar water flow from the ground arises during the entire
year and the origin is not yet known.
Poojas
Poojas
and Archana are done thrice in a day, the first worship of the day starts in
early morning at 05.30. Rudrabhisheka is made between morning 6.00 and 8.00 and
again between 10.30 AM and 12 Noon. The evening poojas are performed between
6.30 PM and 8.00 PM.
Special
poojas are conducted on Sankashta Chathurthi, New Moon day and Full Moon day.
The main festival of the temple is Maha Shivaratri (February/March). Special
pooja's are conducted at this time. During Deepavali festival a grand
celebration can be seen in Malay Mahadeshwara Hills.
Other
Shrines to visit
Sri
NagaMalay, Sri Adi Madappa, Sri Indi Basavwshwara, Sri Goujala Katte
Basaveshwara, Sri Bale Kallu Basaveshwara, Sri Tapasare, Sri Paada Dhare, Sri
Karaiah's Boli and Sri Kanave Basappa.
Accommodations
The
boarding and lodging with modern amenities are available. The guest houses
include Mahadeshwara Bhavana, Gurudarshini, Giridarshini, Shivadarshini, etc.
The average flow of pilgrims is about 4,000 people every day. Advanced mechanized and kitchen provides free food for all pilgrims at the Dasoha Bhavana, the beautiful dining hall is equipped to feed people.