Mailar Mallanna Temple
| Mailar Mallanna Temple | |
|---|---|
|
The central of Shiva Mailar Mallanna or Khandoba (center) with his wives. | |
| Geography | |
| Country | India |
| State | Karnataka |
| District | Bidar District |
| Locale | Khanapur or Mailar |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Khandoba as Shiva Mailar Mallanna |
| Important festivals | Dussera |
Sri Shiva Mailar Mallanna Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Khandoba (also known as Mailar Mallanna and a form of the god Shiva, in Mailar or Khanapur village). It is situated on the Bidar-Udgir Road, 15 km from Bidar, Karnataka, India.
History
The temple's origin is connected with the demon Mallasur (Malla) (in Kannada aur means demons) and his younger brother Manikasur (Mani), who gained the boon of invincibility from Brahma, creating chaos on the earth and harassing the sages.
When the seven sages approached Shiva for protection after Indra and Vishnu confessed their incapability, Shiva assumed the form (or Avatar) of Martanda Bhairava, as the Mahatmya calls Mallanna (Khandoba), riding the Nandi bull, leading an army of the gods. Martanda Bhairava is described as shining like the golden sun, covered in turmeric and appearing with three-eyes and a crescent moon on his forehead.
The demon army was slaughtered by the gods and Khandoba killed Malla and Mani. While dying, Malla offered his white horse to Khandoba as an act of repentance and asked for a favor -- that he be present in every shrine of Khandoba. Thus, this temple is called Sri Shiva Mailari Mallanna (Khandoba) Temple.
Devotees
Famous in the North Karnataka area, the temple attracts millions of devotees from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh annually. The temple's main priest belongs to the Kurubas community.
On Sunday, the principle worship day, the trading of goats, sheep, cows and other animals takes place nearby.[1][2]
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of salvation, wealth, health, vehicles and knowledge.[3]