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Malay Mahadeshwara Temple

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.