Sri Kaleshwara Temple is a revered village shrine located in Yattambadi Village, Kasaba Hobli, Malavalli Taluk, in the district of Mandya, Karnataka. The temple is deeply connected to a local folk legend that symbolizes love, sacrifice, devotion, and divine manifestation. The temple's origin story, preserved through oral tradition and local belief, forms an important part of the cultural heritage of the region.
Yattambadi Sri Kaleshwara Temple Story And History
Kalappa's Arrival in Yattambadi
Many years ago, a man named Kalappa arrived in
Yattambadi from the southern region in search of work and a better livelihood.
He found employment under a respected villager named Kempegowda, tending
and grazing cattle.
Kalappa spent his days herding cattle in the surrounding fields and forests, living a simple and hardworking life.
Love and Marriage
While grazing cattle, Kalappa became acquainted with Honnamma,
a woman belonging to the Gangamata community from nearby Nittur
Village. Over time, their friendship blossomed into love, and they
eventually married.
The couple lived happily together and became well known among the villagers.
The Tragic Incident at Bhimanakindi Hill
One day, Kalappa took the cattle to graze near Bhimana Kindi Hill. Exhausted from the day's work, he rested beneath a tree and fell into
a deep sleep.
As evening approached, the unattended cattle wandered back
toward the village on their own. On the way, they entered the agricultural
field of a Gowda farmer from Nittur and caused extensive damage by grazing on
the crops.
Angered by the destruction of his field, the farmer decided
to discover who owned the cattle. Armed with a gun, he waited in the field for
the responsible person to arrive.
When Kalappa eventually woke up and realized the cattle were
missing, he rushed toward the village. Upon finding them in the farmer's field,
he entered the land to drive them away.
The enraged farmer confronted him and, in a fit of anger, shot Kalappa in the waist.
Kalappa's Final Journey
Despite suffering a serious gunshot wound, Kalappa attempted
to return to Yattambadi. Using a piece of cloth from his garment, he tightly
bound the wound to slow the bleeding.
However, before he could reach safety, he succumbed to his
injuries and passed away.
The news of his death spread quickly throughout the village.
Honnamma's Supreme Sacrifice
Deeply grief-stricken by the loss of her husband, Honnamma
witnessed Kalappa's funeral rites being performed by Kempegowda and the
villagers.
Unable to bear the separation, she made the ultimate
sacrifice by jumping into the funeral pyre and giving up her life alongside her
beloved husband.
Their devotion to one another became a powerful symbol of eternal love in local folklore.
The Divine Manifestation
According to local belief, six months after the cremation, a
miraculous event occurred at the very site where the couple had been cremated.
Two sacred Shiva Lingas emerged from the ground and united
as one. Around the lingas, a large anthill gradually formed, which was regarded
as a divine sign.
An even more remarkable occurrence followed.
A cow belonging to Kempegowda began visiting the anthill every day and spontaneously released milk over the sacred spot.
Kempegowda's Dream
When Kempegowda noticed that the cow's calf was becoming
weak because the cow was giving its milk elsewhere, he became curious and
decided to follow the animal.
He witnessed the cow offering milk upon the anthill and was
astonished by the sight.
That night, Kalappa and Honnamma appeared in Kempegowda's
dream. They revealed that they had attained divine union at that very location
and that the two lingas had manifested as a sacred symbol of their spiritual
presence.
They instructed him to build a temple at the site.
Construction of the Temple
Obeying the divine command received in his dream, Kempegowda
built a temple over the sacred spot where the lingas had appeared.
The temple was named Sri Kaleshwara, a name believed
to have been derived from Kalappa, whose devotion and sacrifice became
immortalized through the shrine.
Since then, the temple has been worshipped by generations of devotees and continues to be an important spiritual center for the surrounding villages.
Religious Significance
Sri Kaleshwara Temple is regarded by devotees as a place of:
- Divine
blessings and protection
- Marital
harmony and family welfare
- Fulfillment
of prayers and vows
- Spiritual
peace and devotion to Lord Shiva
The temple's unique origin story, centered on the love and sacrifice of Kalappa and Honnamma, makes it especially significant among local devotees.
Present-Day Worship
Today, Sri Kaleshwara Temple attracts large numbers of
devotees from Yattambadi and neighboring villages.
Thursdays and Sundays are considered particularly
auspicious, and many worshippers visit the temple on these days to seek
blessings, offer prayers, and participate in religious rituals.
The temple remains a cherished landmark of faith, preserving a remarkable legend that continues to inspire devotion, love, sacrifice, and spiritual unity among the people of the region.
Cultural Note
Like many village temples across rural Karnataka, the story
of Sri Kaleshwara Temple is preserved primarily through oral tradition and
local folklore. While the legend forms an important part of the community's
cultural identity and religious faith, it is best understood as a traditional
sacred narrative passed down through generations.