Sri Kalleshwara Swamy Temple, Kalledevarapura Davanagere Karnataka
Sri Kalleshwara Swamy Temple is located in Kalledevarapura village of Kasaba Hobli, Jagalur Taluk, in Davanagere District, Karnataka. The village derives its name from the presiding deity, Lord Kalleshwara (a form of Lord Shiva), who is believed to have manifested here. The temple is considered one of the important religious centers of the taluk and district.
Davanagere Kalledevarapura Shiva Temple Story (Sthala Purana)
According to local tradition, the area around the temple was once covered with dense forest. In a nearby open field, a merchant named Mallashetty brought firewood from the forest. To cook his meal, he placed two stones over a stone embedded in the ground and set up a makeshift hearth.
As he began cooking, he noticed blood appearing in the pot along with the rice. Frightened, he realized that the stone he had used was divine. At that moment, a small fragment split from the Shiva Linga formed in the stone and revealed itself as Lord Kalleshwara (also called Kallinatha). The deity is believed to have told him that He was not an ordinary hearth stone but a sacred Shiva Linga. The Lord instructed the merchant to weigh his goods in trade using that sacred stone and assured him prosperity.
With devotion, the merchant prospered and later constructed a temple at the site.
Architecture and Structure of Sri Kalleshwara Swamy Temple
The Kalleshwara Temple stands in the center of the village and faces east. It was built during the 11th–12th century in the Kalyana Chalukya architectural style (Western Chalukya period).
The temple complex is expansive and includes:
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Garbhagriha (sanctum)
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Antarala (vestibule)
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Navaranga (closed hall)
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Mahamantapa (great hall)
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Sabha Mantapa (assembly hall)
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Nandi Mantapa
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Swing pillar (Uyyaale Kamba)
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Main entrance tower (Mahadwara Gopura)
Inside the sanctum is a finely carved black stone Shivling, approximately one foot in height.
The Navaranga hall features four pillars in the Hoysala style, indicating later artistic influence. A Nandi statue is installed facing the Shiva Linga. The hall also houses an idol of Lord Ganesha and a west-facing idol of Surya (Sun God).
In front of the Mukhamantapa (front hall) stands a sculpture of Nandi known locally as Ankali Basavanna.
The Mahamantapa located before the Navaranga was constructed during the post-Vijayanagara period.
On either side of the hall are sanctums dedicated to Veerabhadra and Goddess Gauramma. On the right side of the Mahamantapa is a hero stone (Veeragallu) known as Eeragara Hucheshwara. Another Nandi located in front of the Mahamantapa is called Thottipele Basavanna.
Above the sanctum is a tower (Shikhara) built in the Pancharatha style.
Majjana Mantapa (Ritual Bath Pavilion)
Behind the temple is a large ritual bath pavilion (Majjana Mantapa). It is said that such a large structure of this kind is rare and not commonly found elsewhere.
Worship and Rituals
Daily worship is performed three times (Trikala Puja), along with special rituals.
During the month of Shravan (July–August), special religious observances are conducted for an entire month, including:
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Maharudrabhisheka
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Sahasra Bilvarchane (offering of 1,000 bilva leaves)
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Ashtottara Bilvarchane
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Vedic chanting
In the month of Kartika (October–November), a grand festival of lights (Deepotsava) is celebrated.
Annual Fair (Jatre)
The Kalleshwara Jatre (annual temple fair) is celebrated grandly for six days during the full moon of the Vaishakha month (April–May). On the fifth day, the grand Rathotsava (chariot festival) takes place.
Lakhs of devotees from dozens of surrounding villages participate in the Rathotsava. A cattle fair is also held following the temple festival.
Parevu Ritual
The Parevu ritual of Sri Kalleshwara Swamy is conducted in the courtyard of Basavanna Temple at Basappana Hatti, located near the village.
Inscriptions and Historical Records
Temple inscriptions provide historical evidence of donations:
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Inscriptions numbered 31 and 32 (A.D. 1235) and 33 (A.D. 1279) from Jagalur mention grants made to this temple.
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An inscription dated A.D. 1526 records a donation made during the reign of Vijayanagara Emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya.
These inscriptions confirm the temple’s historical and religious significance over several centuries.