Sri Amareswara Temple

Overview

Sri Amareswara Temple is a shrine primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located at Gudagunte in the Raichur district, Karnataka, Sri Kshetra Gudagunte Amareshwara is a famous pilgrimage centre in the Uttara Karnataka region. Lord Amareshwara is the family deity of people from various villages in that region such as Yaradoni, Devarabhupura, Gudagunte.

About the Temple

The legend behind the incarnation of Lord Amareshwara, pertains to Tretayuga, during the time of Ravanasura. Kaikasi, the mother of king Ravana was a great devotee of Lord Parameshwara. She had the practice of visiting the Rajatadri hills daily to worship Lord Kedaralinga and offered milk to the deity as Naivedya. Ravana was given this Naivedya milk prasada as his morning drink. Owing to her old age, Kaikasi had to return back late from Rajatadri one day. Ravana who understood his mother’s difficulties, decided to bring Rajatadri hills to Lanka using his strength and might, so that his mother could worship the deity without much strain. In his effort to do so, he was pulled down to Patalaloka (Under world) by Lord Parameshwara. Ravana’s maternal uncle Mahiravana, then pleases Lord Shiva with his penance and gets a Pranalinga from the Lord for the pooja of his sister. The lord also warns Mahiravana to not put the Linga down, until reaching his destination. But unfortunately, the Pranalinga fell into the ground surrounded by water, when he had stopped to rest for the night at a place. Realising his mistake, Mahiravana tried to pull the Linga up but failed in his attempts. The Pranalinga then turned into the shape of a Bull’s Shoulder because of the force applied to take it out from the ground. This Pranalinga remained at the place which is presently called the "Amareshwara". The water filled pond surrounding the Pranalinga is called the “Amaragunda”.

Legend and stories

According to another legendry tale, Lord Shiva took birth on this earth in the form of a little boy and became the adopted son of a couple named Adaiah and Malagundamna. The couple were Ghandarvas (living in the forests) who dint have any biological children due to a curse by Goutama Maharshi. The little boy displayed divine powers by transforming Adaiah’s old oxen into a bullock and also turned the aged couple into young. Witnessing these miracles, the couple realised that the boy was none other than the incarnation of Lord Parameshwara. The kind Lord is also said to have appeared in their dreams, and blesses them. When Adaiah and Malagundamna tried to hug the little boy out of joy, the boy vanished into the ground forming a Shivalinga. This Shivalinga came to known as Amareshwara. The people in this region were well aware of the significance of this temple and hence visited this holy temple to get the blessings of the Lord. Devotees drinking the holy water from this pond, is believed to be cured from their ailments. Thus Lord Amareshwara came to known as god who cures these ailments and became the family deity of the village Gudagunte, Devarabhupura, Yaradoni, to name a few.

The temple has a Devarabhupura Topinakatte Brahanmatha at the Shree Kshetra. There once was a Swamiji who is believed to have lived at the time a little boy Amareshwara, named Malleswami. The idol of this swamiji is present at this Brahanmatha. The present religious head of this mutt is called Sri Gajadanda swamiji. He is said to be over 100 years age now and has exhibited miraculous power on many occasions, just like his predecessor.

A Kumba Tirtha (temple tank) is located on the northern part of the temple called as “gadige bhavi”, where sage Agastya took his bath at time of Theerthodbhava. On western side is a hillock called “KapilaGudda” where Kapila Maharshi undertook penance. Jagadguru Renukarcharya Maharshi who preached Shatsthala Siddantha to sage Agastya also believed to have lived at this kshetra. A temple for Ravana Siddeshwara is also present at this place.

This temple of Lord Amareshwara can be rightly termed as a holy confluence, from its legendary tales. It has become a prominent religious centre for aggrieved people searching to find solace.

Festivals

The Mahashivarathri is celebrated here with much joy and fervour.

How To Reach Sri Amareswara Temple

Road

The nearest bus stop is Gudagunte.

Railways

The nearest railhead is the Saidapur railway station.

Airport

The closest located airport is the Bangalore International airport.

Temple Address