Temple –
Overview
The Yediyur Siddhalingeshwara Swamy temple, an ancient Hindu shrine, is
one of the eminent pilgrimage centers. Siddhalingeshwara is the temple’s deity.
Although known as a temple, it has a Nirvikalpa
Shivayoga Samadhi of Tontada Siddhalinga, a well known Virashaiva saint
belonging to late 15th century.
Temple
Location
Yediyur Siddhalingeshwara Swamy temple is located on the Mangalore- Bangalore highway (NH 48). It is at a distance of 95 KM from Bangalore. The temple is situated in the Kunigal town of Tumkur District.
Festivities
Every year the temple holds a 15 day long ‘Jathra’, starting from the 7th
day after ‘Ugadi’ (Hindu calendar). The ‘Jathra’ is conducted to mark the
attainment of Samadhi by Sri Siddhalingeshwara Swamy. During Maha Shivarathri,
a Hindu festival, Sahasra Rudrabhisheka is performed at the temple. A special pallakki
utsav is held in Phalguna.
The last day of Karthika masa is celebrated by lighting Laksha Deepa (one
lakh lamp) around the temple. During the month of Shravana special poojas
namely Sahasra Kamala pooja and Laksha Bilvarchana pooja are performed. On
every new moon day, Kumbhahisheka is performed in the temple.
The annual car festival is held by the temple on the 7th lunar day of the
Chaitra masa (March-April). Lakhs of devotees arrive during the above mentioned
special days to witness the event. You can visit the temple during this time.
Sri
Siddhalingeshwara Swamy
He is a renowned Virashaiva teacher and author. Shathsthala Jnana Saramrutha, a collection of 701 Vachanas (poems),
is his literary contribution. He was also a chief of Murugi Mutt.
Sri Siddhalingeshwara Swamy is considered to be an incarnation of Lord
Shiva. He is known to perform miracles on large number of people belonging to
different caste and creed. Many sick and suffering people are believed to be
cured by his divine powers.
The temple is a large Dravidian structure facing the North. The temple
houses a ’Gaddige’ of Sri Siddhalingeshwara Swamy, a lump of Vibhuthi, is
covered by Linga Kanhe form. The temple has a large wooden chariot (ratha).
How To Get
There
Yediyur Siddhalingeshwara Swamy Temple is well connected to Bangalore, Tumkur and Mangalore by an excellent road. There are also lots of buses plying from Tumkur, Bangalore, and others cities of the Karnataka.