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Kalaseshwara Temple at Kalasa in Chikmagalur District in Karnataka


Kalaseshwara Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva and is located at Kalasa in Chikmagalur District in Karnataka. The temple is also known as Agastya Kshetra as the temple is associated with Sage Agastya. The temple is located in Kalasa Village which is around 96 KM from Chikmagalur. It is believed that the temple existed before 10th century AD.

Story of the Kalaseshwara Temple at Kalasa in Skanda Purana

Importance of the temple is mentioned in the Thungabhadra Khand of Skanda Purana. It is believed that two saints named Mitra and Varuana were meditating on the banks of the Thungabhadra River. Indra, the king of the Devas, feared that he will be overthrown by the brothers as they were becoming spiritually more powerful.

To create hindrance in the austerity of the brothers, Indra deputed Urvashi, the celestial woman. Urvashi was able to create passion in the mind of brothers. The semen that flowed from Mitra was collected by Devas in a Kalasha (pot). Rishi Agastya later appeared from the pot. He performed intense austerities and pleased Shiva. When Shiva appeared before him, he asked Shiva to give his presence in the Kalasha from which he was born. Shiva agreed and the deity worshiped came to be known as Kalaseshwara.

Deities worshipped in the Temple

Goddess Parvati is worshipped as Sri Sarvanga Sundari Amma. There are also separate shrines for Subrahamanya, Sri Kashivishweshwara and Kshetrapala.

The gateway of the temple built in Malnad style is adorned by statues of a male and a female elephants. They are worshiped as Aneganapathi.

The temple also has small shrines dedicated to Sri Girijamba, Sri Durgamba, Sri Bindhumadhava, Sri Kalabhairava and Sri Vashista Ganapati. 

Important festival in the temple

The most important festival in the temple is the Sri Girija Kalyana held from the Kartik Shukla Paksha Ekadasi to Kartik Purnima (November).Another important festival is Mahashivratri.

Opening and Closing time Kalaseshwara Temple at Kalasa:
7:30 AM TO 1:00 PM
3:30 PM TO 8:30 PM
On Shivaratri and Sri Girija Kalyana day temple is open for 24 hours.

Location of Kalaseshwara Temple
Kalaseshwara Temple is at Kalasha Village which is on State Highway 66. The temple is around 56 KM west of Kottigehra which is located on the State Highway 66. Chikmagalur is around 96 km away. Nearest Railway Station is at Mangalore.

Contact Details
Shree Kalasheshwara Swamy Temple,
Kalasa,
Mudigere Taluk,
Chickmaglur District,
Pin - 577124. Phone - 08263-274705
08263-274702