List of tourist attractions in Kolar district

Kolaramma temple

Kolar is located along the southern region and easternmost part of state of Karnataka. The two most significant temples are Kolaramma temple and Someshwara temple. The Kolaramma temple is built and dedicated to Goddess Shakti.

History - The temple is built in Dravida Vimana Style and dates back to the Ganga period. The temple has several Chola renovations and additions were made by them in the 11th century, followed by Vijayanagara rule in the 15th century. The Cholas made several inscriptions in the temple, the earliest inscription belongs to the period of Rajendra Chola I from 1012 to 1045 A.D.

Architecture - The temple is built in typical South Indian architectural style using granite stones and is around 800 years old. The temple is L-shaped housing two shrines, one for Durga who is known as Kolaramma and another for Saptamatrikas. The main temple faces the east while the larger shrine faces the north. But both of them share a common vestibule. Though the temple resembles a mantapa, there are nearly 30 inscriptions in both Tamil and Kannada found in the temple complex.

Kolar is 68 km from the city of Bangalore, on the Chennai-Bangalore National Highway. Kolar boasts of a rich history with the fortresses and temples built under the reign of several dynasties. Someshwara Temple is located in the heart of the Kolar region and is one of the famous temples in this town.

History - The temple was built by the Cholas who ruled this region in the 11th century who were then dethroned by the Chalukyas. The temple was later expanded by the Vijayanagara Empire and is a fine example of the Vijayanagara style of architecture. The carvings on the inner pillars of the temple have an international connection which depicts the importance and value of trade to the King.

Architecture - The temple is every architect's delight considering the beauty of Dravidian architecture. The huge gopura on the entrance stands testimony to the hand of the Cholas in the construction of this temple. The temple has heavy Prakara walls, a Kalyana Mantapa (Wedding hall), a Mukha Mandapa with massive pillars, a Vasantha Mantapa (Marriage Podium) and a shrine forgoddess Parvati Devi. The Kalyana Mandapa has 64 - 16 sided pillars, a few depicting men, riding horses and others represent mythological stories. The carvings on the pillars bear influence of the European, Chinese and Thai style..

Located 3 km from Kolar, Antharagange, a sacred stream, that pours sweet water from the mouth of a bull. This scenic spot, known as Shatha Shringa Parvatha, abounds in rocks of many shapes and rare flora and fauna. The hill top resembling a snakehood- (Havina Hede), gives a bird’s eye view of seven towns. It is accessible from two routes, steep steps on one side and a motorable route on the other. The granite temple of Neelakanteshwara, at the foothills, is an attraction.
This place is also a great picnic spot. On top of the hill there is a huge plateau. Antargange, a perennial spring on the east of the hills has become a popular tourist destination. Agricultural works carried out on top of the hill by using open well water.

Kotilingeshwara is the principal deity of the Kotilingeshwara temple. This temple lies in the Kammasandra village in the district of Kolar. The Kotilingeshwara temple houses the biggest Shivalinga in the entire world. It is said that during Mahashivratri, there are close to two lakh devotees who visit this place every year. Kotilingeshwara is about 6 kilometers from the famous Kolar gold fields.

Is located 29 km from Kolar in place called Guttahalli. This is a very famous temple which resembles the famous Sri Venkateshwara Temple of Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is built on rocks which dates back to Brigu Maharushi's days. Just below the hillock is Garuda, Vishnu's vehicle.

The temple itself has a very impressive gopuram. There is the kalyani or water tank near which a flight of steps leads us to the idol of Venkataramana, also called Srinivasa. This small attractive sculpture has to be viewed from a six-holed window. At a different level is the shrine for the consort Padmavathi, dating back to mid-19th century.

This temple is thronged by pilgrims, particularly during the month of Shravana(July–August).Darshan of the deity is through a small window in the sanctum.

This is a village, about 15 km southwest of Bangarpet town, whose history dates to the 8th century A.D. Budikote or Boodi Kote, meaning "fort of ashes" is said to derive its name from an immense holocaust, believed to have been executed there, in its hoary past.

The important temples here are those of Venkataramana and Domeshwara.

Budikote is the birthplace of Hyder Ali and a spot among the boulders in the fort, is known to tourists as the place where his cradle was rocked.

Hyder Ali or Haidar 'Ali (c. 1722-1782), was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. Hyder Ali was a Muslim soldier-adventurer, who, followed by his son Tipu Sultan, became one of the most formidable Asiatic rivals the British had ever encountered in India. He was the great-grandson of an Islamic fakir from Gulbarga, Deccan. His father was a naik or chief constable at Budikote, near Kolar in present-day Karnataka. there is also a fort at Budikote present today at the place where he was born. He was born in 1722, or according to other authorities 1717, however the memorial in Budikote states he was born in 1720. As a youth, Hyder assisted his brother, a commander of a brigade in the Mysore army, and acquired a useful familiarity with the tactics of the French when at the height of their reputation under Joseph François Dupleix. He is said to have induced his brother to employ a Parsi to purchase artillery and small arms from government of Bombay Presidency, and to enroll some thirty sailors of different European nations as gunners, and is thus credited with having been "the first Indian who formed a corps of sepoys armed with firelocks and bayonets, and who had a train of artillery served by Europeans."

Hyder Ali induced Shamaiya Iyengar into his ministry as minister of post and police and later Shamaiya served under Tipu.

The main attraction of Malur is a temple dedicated to Lord Prasanna Venkateshwara at Chikka Tirupathi.

Shankaranarayana and the Markandeswhwara. There is a village called Shivarapattana, where one can find national award-winning rock sculpture makers

Tyakal
Tekal, also known as Tyakal, lies 18 km to Malur East of Tekal was famous for 101 wells and 101 temples due to which it was known as 'Little Kanchi'.
Varadharaja Temple and Someshwara temple are two of the few surviving ones.

"Malur" "Sri Marikambha Temple" . It is located in the heart of the Malur Town. One of the most worshiped Temple in the Kolar District.

Hogenakkal waterfalls

The famous Hogenakkal waterfalls is 123 Kilometres away from Malur taluk Headquarters and it's the second nearest distance to this waterfall after Anekal Taluk of Bengaluru, and it's the first nearest distance to waterfalls in Kolar District followed by Kolar Gold Fields.

This place is 12 km from Mulbagal, was the capital of the Hoysala Dynasty. The giant, thirteen and a half foot sculpture of kurudumale Ganesha and the Someshwara temple, attract thousands of visitors from the surrounding states.

Kurudumale Temple – Overview

The temple of kurudumale is situated in the district of Kolar in the State of Karnataka. There is a popular Ganesha temple here which was built by the Vijayanagar kings. It is believed that the Devas had come down from their abode or heaven for some fun. The Ganesha temple of Kurudumale is supposed to be very powerful and many people come here to take Lord Ganesha’s blessings before commencing any new work or activity. Ganesha is believed to be ‘Vighnaharta’ – the one who clears all our hurdles. Just close to the Kurudumale Ganapathi temple is the Someshwara temple where the principal deity is Lord Shiva. This temple has been built out of a single rock. kurudumale is about 10 kilometers from Mulbagal and has emerged as a popular tourist destination.

Kurudumale Temple - Architecture

The Kurudumale temple was erected during the rule of the Cholas. There are different types of architecture within the temple premises. It is supposed to have been completed by artists Jakanachari and Dankanachari. The work of the latter is supposed to be more elegant and intricate. The Ganesha temple of Kurudumale has a very big idol of Ganesha and is worshipped by devotees since ages. King Krishnadevaraya built this beautiful temple of Ganesha.

this temple is considered to be older than the Ganesha temple and was built during the Cholas period. Half of the temple has different style of carving, believed to have been done by artist Jakanachari and the other half is believed to have been carved by his son Dankanachari. The part of the temple supposedly built by Dankana's has statues and carvings which are more intricate and sophisticated. Ganesha temple in Kurudumale, situated on the same road as that of Someshwara temple, but here a huge Ganesha idol is being worshipped from ages unknown. It is said that the Ganesha statue was being worshipped in an open field, until Krishnadevaraya built a temple around it. It's too huge to imagine (14 ft in all), bigger than the Dodda Ganesha of Basavanagudi.

Kurudumale - Mythology

As per mythological stories, Lord Ganesha’s idol was installed by the maker, destroyer and sustainer of the universe that is Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. It is supposed to be a sacred place as the Gods descended from heaven for recreation. Tourists from across the world come to this thirteen and half feet idol for Darshan.

Kurudumale – religious significance

The old name of Kurudumale was ‘Koothadri-shethram’, which means the idol is created by the 'trimurthis'.

Kurudumale is situated about 12 kilometers from Mulbagal and it was a popular centre during the rule of the Hoysala kings.[4]

Known as the Gaya of the south, Avani has a cluster of Ramalingeshwara temple all within one courtyard dedicated to Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrugna as well as a Shankar Math built by the Nolamba Dynasty. Legend has it, that the hill above was home to Valmiki’s ashram, where Lava & Kusha were born and raised.

Avani, Kolar temple overview
Avani is famous for the Sita temple situated on a hill. This temple is one of the few temples dedicated to Sitadevi in India. It is also known as the Gaya of the south and has ancient temples known as the Ramalingeshwara, Lakshmaneshwara, Bharateshwara and Shatrugneshwara, dating back to the period of the Nolamba Dynasty. It has been told that Sitadevi gave birth to her twin children Lava-Kusha here. Even today the room where Sita gave birth to her children exists. The war between Sri Rama and his sons Lava & Kusha happened in this village. The place is very near (About 9 km) to Mulabaagilu or Mulbagal (Taluk headquarters) in Kolar District.
History

When Sri Narasimha Bharati IV of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham was on his sancharas', he camped here for a few days. During his stay here, in Avani, he found an idol of Goddess Shrada, in standing posture flanked by Srimajjagadguru Shankaracharya and the Sri Chakra. He consecrated this idol here and established a new Matha and installed one of his shisyas as the head of the new Matha. This matha is now known as Avani Sringeri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sharada Peetham. There is a branch of this matha in Basaweshwaranagar in Bangalore. There is also a belief that the sage Valmiki, Was residing here during the period of Ramayana in AVani. He was author of the epic Ramayana, based on the attribution in the text of the epic itself.[2] He is revered as the Adi Kavi, which means First Poet, for he discovered the first śloka i.e. first verse, which set the base and defined the form to Sanskrit poetry. The Yoga Vasistha is attributed to him. The religious movement Valmikism is based on Valmiki's teachings as presented in the Ramayana and the Yoga Vasistha. And also believed the Nayak or Nayaka caste [in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh] was originated from Valmiki. These Nayaka community people is planning to start education center, Ashrama at Avani, planned was done.[5]

"Avani" meaning

The girl name Avani is of Sanskrit origin and its meaning is "earth". It is a not a Hindi name. It is perfectly a Sanskrit word and Sita was also called Avanisuta meaning 'Daughter of Earth' as the legend goes that she was found while ploughing the earth.

Lavaa Kusha Betta/Hill, Trekking
This hill said to be one of the place where Rama, Sita and Lakshmana stayed during their 14 years exile from Ayoudha. Legend says that on this hill Sitha gave birth to Lavaa and Kusha. Hence the name Lavaa Kusha Betta/Hill.[6]

Overview
The Anjaneya temple and the Someshwara temple, with its exquisite bronze icon of the Dancing Nataraja, of the Vijayanagar period are a great draw. The tomb of Haider Oulia, a great Muslim saint and 13 km away, the tomb of the 15th Century Madhwa saint, Shripadaraya are also popular spots.

Kshetra Palaka Sri Anjaneya Temple
Located at Mulbagilu/Mulbagal Bus stand, being tired after war Arjuna went on pilgrimage and bought his flag used during war consisting of Vayu Putra image and established in Mulbagal then called shathaka vatipuri. after the Mahabharata war. Sage Vasishta is believed to have installed the idols of the main deity Srinivasa, Padmavati and Rama-Sita-Lakshmana.<Anjaneya Temple

For any Seva and other details contact temple Manager, Phone Number: 08159 - 246059, 243237. Temple has been renovated recently.,[7][8]

Someshwara Temple:
Apart from the famous Hanuman temple, this town has Someswara' temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Shivalinga here is similar to that at sacred Kashi or Varanasi.

Sripadaraja Math and Narasimha Teertha
In the Mulbagal town (about 1 km from town towards east on NH4.) was the residing place of Sreepadaraja Swamiji or simply Sripadaraya, a disciple of Saint Madhwacharya. Madhwacharya established the Dwaita school of philosophy.

• Sri Sreepadaraaja Swamiji is the disciple of Shri swarnavarna teertharu. He is the cousin of SrI Brahmanyateertharu. Sri Sreepadaraaja Swamiji is the vidya-guru (spiritual teacher) of Sri Vyasarajaru, whose name is took with extreme devotion amongst the scholars. Sreepadaraaja Swamiji who was the raajaguru (most important advisor) of the Vijayanagara kings, was known to have used Kannada keerthanas (hymns) during pooja which was considered holy during those times. Sreepaadaraja Swaamiji was also known to was offering sixty four types of dishesnaivedya (offering) to God everyday without fail. He has penned many keerthanas praising God and are still popular even after 600 years. Sreepadaraaja Swamiji has also composed a grantha (book that discusses spiritual matters) called "vagvajra".
• The Narasimha teertha is the sacred place where Swamiji lived and had his brindavan (sacred resting place for Hindu sages) made, is now the headquarters of the Sreepaadaraaja Mutt founded by him. There is also a Swayamvyakta Yoga Narasimha temple near the brindavan.[9]

Baba Hyder Vali of Mulbagal
Mulbagal is also sacred for Muslims as the dargah of Sufi Saint Baba HyderHalli of Mulbagal was situated here. Both Muslims and Hindus worship at the Baba Hyder Vali of Mulbagal and Urus festival is very popular here even nowadays.

Five km from Mulbagal, Virupakshi has virupaksha temple built during the reign of the Vijayanagar king Deva Raya II. The Parvati shrine here has the figure of a lion on front of it just like Nandi in front of Siva temples. This is rather unusual.[10]