Malebennur Sri Basaveshwara and Kalleshwara temple is located at Malebennur at Harihara, Davangere, Karnataka. The shrine was originally established in 1522 CE.
Malebennur Sri Basaveshwara and Kalleshwara Temple – History
According to local tradition and temple records, in 1522 CE,
two devotees named Channa Ujjappa (Sanna Ujjappa) and Dodda Ujjappa, along with
Neelamma and Beeradevara devotees, migrated from Bannikodu and constructed a
small shrine for the deity. The original shrine faced south, and a Garuda
pillar (Garuda Stambha) was erected in front of the temple.
After about four to five years, the villagers decided to
build separate shrines for Sri Basavanna and Beeradevara. A temple for Sri
Basavanna was constructed in the market street (Pete Beedi) using wooden
pillars and traditional architecture, while Beeradevara’s shrine was built in
the Halumatha community street. Both deities were ceremonially consecrated on
the same day. Before the completion of the temple, an idol used for festivals
(Utsava Murti) of Sri Basavanna was also specially prepared.
Temple Administration and Worship Traditions
The worship responsibilities were later divided among
families and communities:
- The descendants of Nagappajja, Gangenelyappa, and Muddappa from the Halumatha community were entrusted with the worship of Beeradevara.
- Dodda Ujjappa and Sanna Ujjappa took responsibility for the worship of Sri Basavanna.
- The Halumatha community granted hereditary rights and responsibilities (Gutthige) to these families for conducting rituals and temple services.
For many years, worship and rituals continued in this
manner.
The Miraculous Turning of the Basavanna Idol
At one point, the villagers collectively decided that the
temple, which originally faced south near the lake bund, should instead face
east according to traditional spiritual beliefs.
When devotees attempted to relocate the stone idol of
Basavanna, they dug nearly eight feet around the idol but could not find its
base. Even after tying ropes and trying to pull it, the idol would not move.
At that moment, a respected devotee named Bennahalli
Siddappa, son of Nanjappa, addressed the gathered villagers. He instructed that
on the following Monday:
- Five married women,
- Five Jangamas (Lingayat priests),
- Five astrologers/scholars (Joyisaru),
- Five Dasappas (devotional singers),
- And other devotees
should bathe early in the morning, wear pure traditional
clothing, and participate in the sacred ritual.
The entire village was informed through drum announcements.
Siddappa observed fasting and spiritual discipline for three days. On Monday
morning, devotees assembled near the idol, performed Ganga Puja and other
sacred rituals, and carefully lifted the idol upward from the pit.
Then Bennahalli Siddappa respectfully bowed before
Basavanna, embraced the stone idol with both hands, and loudly chanted:
“Jaya Jaya Namah Parvati Patiye, Hara Hara Mahadeva!”
With the help of the gathered devotees, the idol was finally
turned from its original south-facing direction to the east-facing position.
This remarkable achievement is traditionally credited to Bennahalli Siddappa,
son of Nanjappa.
Construction of the Present Temple
Later, in 1925, devotees and village elders held a public
gathering and unanimously agreed to construct a larger and more permanent
temple for Sri Basavanna. People contributed generously according to their
capacity — through physical labor, devotion, and financial support.
The construction work was completed over the following
years, and in 1928, on the auspicious occasion of Basava Jayanti, the new
temple was formally consecrated and inaugurated.
Today, the temple stands not only as a place of worship but
also as a symbol of faith, unity, devotion, and the rich Lingayat cultural
heritage of the region.