Date:09/06/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/06/09/stories/2003060901990500.htm

Southern States - Karnataka

CM to inaugurate `rajagopuram' at M.M.Hills

By Our Correspondent

CHAMARAJANAGAR JUNE 8. The Chief Minister, S.M.Krishna, will inaugurate the "rajagopuram" of Male Mahadeshwara Temple at M.M.Hills on Monday and also lay the foundation stone for drinking water supply scheme from the Cauvery.

Mr. Krishna has been a regular visitor to the temple and this resulted in the "rajagopuram" being completed early. The "rajagopuram" was built by Velulingam, a skilled sculptor from Tamil Nadu, at a cost of Rs. 77 lakh.

A 72-room lodging complex, built at a cost of Rs. 1.60 crore, will also be inaugurated on the occasion. The drinking water supply scheme for M.M.Hills has been taken up at a cost of Rs. 11.30 crore. It is proposed to draw water from the Cauvery from a distance of 21 km. near Palar. The construction of two tanks, each with a capacity of 10 lakh litres, was taken up before the erection of water purification plants behind the Kalamandira. L&T is executing the water supply scheme.

Situated at a distance of 120 km. from Chamarajanagar, and 40 km. from Mettur, Male Mahadeshwara Temple is located at one of the tallest peaks in the Eastern Ghats, about 3,000 ft. above sea level. There are two routes, a "serpent route" via Hanur and a "bullock route" via Cowdalli, to reach M.M.Hills from Kollegal.

It is said that there are seven hills, Nadumale (M.M.Hills), Anumale, Jenumale, Kanumale, Pavalamale, Ponnachimale and Kongumale, in the region. According to Veerashaiva literature, Male Mahadeshwara was the incarnation of Lord Shiva and lived in the 14th Century A.D. He was taught "Shivanubhava" by Adiganeshwara, third head of Hardanahally Math. Later, he learnt that penance was the only way to attain "siddi". He went to Nadumale (now called M.M.Hills) and performed penance for 12 years.

Inspired by Mahadeswara, Soligas, Kadukurubas, and Bedaas, who lived in the forests, became devotees of Lord Shiva. It is believed that Mahadeshwara used to ride a tiger. Hence the tiger chariot procession is popular during annual festivals.

"Mahadeshwara Sangathya", written by poet Meenyam Gurusidda of the 18th Century, throws light on the glory of Mahadeswara and the festivals celebrated in the region. There is no epigraphic evidence to ascertain the period of construction of the temple. However, it is believed that Junge Gowda of Alambadi built the temple.

Special jathras are organised during Mahashivarathri, Ugadi, Navarathri, and Deepavali. The chariots used for the utsav are named Hulivahana, Vrushabhavahana, and Rudrakshimantapa.

The first two are made of silver. Rudrakshimantapa was presented by Krishnaraja Wadiyar III. The new chariot was presented by Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV in 1953.

Hyder Ali presented a copper plate to the temple in 1698. The British too honoured the temple priest in 1812. Salur Math, Anthara Gange, Nagamalai, and the Sheshanna Wodeyar Temple are the other places of interest at M.M.Hills.

The famous Sheshanna Wodeyar festival is celebrated once in 12 years. Anthara Gange is considered a holy water stream. Salur Math provides "annadasoha" to pilgrims. Nagamalai is at a distance of 14 km. from the temple.

The place derives its name from a rock shaped like a cobra called "Nagalingapushpa". According to legend, Mahadeshwara spent his last days there. The temple priests are called "Tammadis" and they wear Shivalingam.

The temple, which was maintained by Salur Math and Tammadis for 600 years, is now managed by a committee formed by the State Government. The committee has members from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The annual festival of the temple is celebrated on Mahashivarathri.