Kadu Malleshwara Temple Malleswaram: The Self‑Manifested Lord of the Forest
Origins of the Deity
Nestled atop a modest hillock in Bengaluru’s Malleswaram, the Sri Kadu
Malleswara Swamy Temple is centered around a self‑manifested (“udbhava murthy”)
Shiva lingam, believed never to have been carved by human hands. Local
tradition holds that in the 17th century, a betel‑leaf merchant camping beside
two boulders on this rise prepared rice over a fire, only for it to turn blood‑red
and spill mysteriously. Overcome, he fell unconscious; Lord Shiva appeared,
revealed his form in the rock, and directed the merchant to erect a shrine in
his honor. Thus, the temple’s foundation was laid, affirming the sanctity of
the spot and giving rise to the name “Kadu” (forest) Malleshwara, reflecting
the then‑dense greenery around the hillock.
Historical Endowments and Inscriptions
Originally part of the Bijapur Sultanate’s sphere, Bangalore was granted in
jagir to Shahaji Bhonsle, father of Shivaji, in the early 17th century. By
1664 AD, his half‑brother Venkoji (Ekoji) had assumed control and, during a
visit to this shrine with his minister Bajirao Peshwa, received the deity’s
blessings. Moved by the villagers’ devotion, he donated the village of
Medaraninganahalli to support the temple’s upkeep and inscribed a royal charter
forbidding any obstruction to its worship. This 1669 AD inscription pledges the
land “as a dharma gift till the sun and moon endure,” warning that defrauders
would suffer divine curse and transmigrate as animals in future births.
The Udbhava Murthy Legend
The term udbhava murthy signifies a deity manifesting spontaneously from the
earth—a phenomenon considered supremely sacred. In this case, the lingam’s
emergence amid the hillock’s stones and the blood‑tinged rice miracle
underscore Shiva’s direct intervention. Such events reinforce the belief that
the site is permanently charged with divine presence, making every visit an
encounter with the living god.
Worship, Symbolism, and Rituals
Devotees revere not only Shiva as Mallikarjun but also worship Ganesha,
Parvati, and Nandi within the complex. At the entrance, numerous serpent idols
symbolize protection and fertility, invoking Nฤga deities to guard the shrine. A
stepped tank, Basava Theertha or Nandishwara Teertha, lies before the main
garbhagriha; its waters are said to be the source of the Vrishabhavathi River,
binding the temple to the city’s lifeblood. The annual Maha Shivaratri festival
draws thousands from across Bengaluru, who throng the hillock to offer bilva
leaves and partake in nightlong prayers.
Patronage and Renovations
Over centuries, the temple has seen periodic renovations under local patrons.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, merchant Sri Mallappa Shetti
spearheaded restoration of the sanctum and superstructure, ensuring the shrine
retained its classical Dravidian form without excessive embellishment. Today,
the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike oversees daily operations, with no
entrance fee, and maintains the site as a vital heritage landmark
Sri Kadu Malleswara Swamy Temple stands as a testament to living history—its
self‑emanated lingam, royal patronage by the Bhonsles, and enduring local
devotion fuse to create a narrative both ancient and immediate. Visitors
seeking spiritual solace or historical insight will find in its quiet hillock
setting a window into 17th‑century devotional life and the timeless power of
sacred geography in Hindu tradition.