History of Yedeyur

Yedeyur is on the NH-48 Bangalore-Hassan-Mangalore road and the Sri Siddalingeshwara Swami Temple is one of the most important Pilgrimage centers of the State. Though termed as a Temple, it contains Gaddige (Tomb) i.e., Nirvikalpa Shivayoga Samadhi of Tontada Siddalinga, a great Vireshaiva teacher and author who flourished at the end of 15th century. He was not born out of Womb, appeared as a baby to Mallikarjuna and Jnanambe who had no hereditary successor. At his life time he had performed 12 years of penance at a garden (Thota) and hence recognized as Thontada Siddalingeshwara Swamy. He headed the Murugi Mutt and had a large following of Disciples, some of who wrote on Virashaiva faith and philosophy. Hence Yedeyur is deemed to be a seat of awakened spiritual consciousness. He has written Shathsthala Jnana Saramrutha, containing 701 Vachanas (Poems) which are directing Sthalas( route) to Attain Ikya i.e involvement to light.

The highly revered Gaddige of Sri Siddalingeshwara is a lump of Vibhuthi (What we have at the time of Samadhi) that is covered by Linga kanhe form, above which is kept a metallic processional image resembling the stone figure at the main gate. There are some interesting incriptions on the Temple jewels, bells, vessels etc. It is said that some bells belonging to temple were thrown into a well during a Muslim attack and were recovered by Mohammedan Amildar but have been subsequently lost.

About Janma Sthala

Sri Siddalingeshwara Swami is hailed to be an embodiment of Lord Shiva. He travelled far and wide, preached eternal truth and performed many miracles to lot of people irrespective of their caste or creed. His life and values held by him demonstrated the divine powers attained by him to heal the sick and suffering.

The Siddaganga Kshethra said to have been a dry and barren place and when the Swamiji visited the place, a spring of water burst forth from beneath his feet there by offering relief to people. One of the stories on Siddalingrshwara relates to Kaggere near Yedeyur where the saint had agreed to perform a pooja at the place of a devotee by name Nambenna. The tribal chieftains attacked opposing the pooja which caused the villagers to flee off (Gulehodaru) from village. Twelve years passed by and saint continued his deep meditation and anthill grew around him. Curiously a cow belonging to Nambenna would stray away from the herd and empty udders over the anthill. Annoyed that the cow is not yielding the milk, the villagers followed her to the anthill and they broke it open, they found the saint in deep meditation. There are several other miracles attributed to the Swamiji and his ascetic center is well known for its social service and educational institutions it runs.

The Siddalingeshwara temple faces north and is a fairly large Dravidian structure. An inscription near the Mahadwara talks about the spiritual greatness of the teacher while scenes from the life of Siddalingha as also the various leelas of Lord Shiva are depicted on the colorful print on the Gopura. There is small shrine of Veerabhadra Swamy in the basement as he vacated the main sanctum so as to ensure supreme importance to Sri Siddalingrshwara and his writings. Veerabhadra is held in equal reverence and offered worship similar to Sri Siddalingeshwara. A series of devotees figures speak of the pivotal role of Sri Siddalingeshwara temple in fulfilling the vows and prayers of the people.

Yedeyur Siddalingeshwara Festival

The temple holds the annual Jathra for 15 Days in remembrence of the day that Siddalingeshwara attain Nirvikalpa Sannidhi. On the 7th Day of the commencement of the Hindu calendar (Ugadi), jathra is performed to mark the attaining of the Samadhi of Siddalingeshwara.

Laksha Deepa is last day of Karthika Masa. Every year of Maha Shivarathri we offer Sahasra Rudrabhisheka. The sahasra Kamala pooja, Laksha Bilvarchana pooja is performed in the month of Shravana and Kumbhabhisheka is performed on each Amavasye (New Moon Day).

Vows prayed for Nanjanagud can be fulfilled here.The temple has a large wooden Chariot (Ratha). Six stone wheels, which contains erotical figure and cannot be found even in Konark Sun temple. The car festival is held on the 7th lunar day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra Masa (March-April).