MARULASIDDHESHWAR TEMPLE-UJJINI, KOTTOOR TALUK

Ujjini is famous for its ancient Marulasiddheshwar Temple. Also known as SaddharmaSimhasanaPeetha (Marulasiddha Matt), one of the Panchapeetas. This Matt is known as Ujjini Math. The Marula Siddeshwar temple here is important in terms of art and architecture. The interior of this temple is full of beautiful and delicate carvings, people who saw the beauty of the beautiful and delicate art and architecture carved in Bhuvaneswari and its said that as a proverb given appreciation like “See Hampioutside, see Ujjini inside”.

Built during the KalyanaChalukya period, the temple was expanded from various parts by receiving donations during the rule of the DevagiriYadavas, Vijayanagara kings and Paleyagaras. The north facing temple consists of the main sanctum sanctorum, antarala, sabhamantapa, mahamantapa, mahadwara gopuram as well as recently constructed mantapas, AnnasantharpanaMandir and matt. In the main sanctum sanctorum there is a black stone Shiva linga, the door of the sanctum sanctorum is decorated with holly, scrolls, pilasters and lion branches, and Gajalakshmi is seen in the lot. Bhuvaneswari of Antarala is the most finely carved part. Look at this means look inside Ujjini. There are four small sanctum sanctorums on either side of the ten-pillared sabhamantapa, which is made of rotanana machine. In these, Veerabhadra, Venugopala and Shaiva sculptures are enshrined. Apart from these, sculptures called Ganesha, Vishvaradhya, Maleswamy, Marularadhya, Siddharama, Ekorama, Jakanachari, Bhaktabhushana and Papavimochana have been installed in the kudu style here. Above the sanctum sanctorum there is a Vesara-style camp with four species, and the decorations of the peak are not visible in the background of the oil abhisheka (ritual) held every year. A huge Nandi is also installed in front of the temple. The fair and festivals of this temple are specially held in the month of Vaishakh. Among them, Rathotsava and Thailabhisheksatva are famous.

There are more than seven inscriptions in this temple. Among these are 12th century inscription of Jagadala Pandya records of a donation of Kogali-400 acres of land to Kalideva of Ujjini. An inscription of the time of YadavaMahadeva on the Navaranga pillar has the details of the donation to Nanadadivige of Mallinatha deva. Another inscription dated 1268 ADmentions a person namedBhogaya paying tribute to the God Mallikarjuna of Ujjini. In 1529 ADVijayanagar king Achyutaraya also gave charity to this God. The upper bell of this temple is dated AD. An inscription dated 1726 states that MummadiBasappanayaka made a bell for Lord Siddheshwar. If we look at all the inscriptions here this temple was called by the name of Kalideva in the 12th centuryAD, later this temple was called by the name of Mallikarjuna in 1268 AD. By 1726, it is clear that he was transformed into Siddheshwara.

Ujjini which is located 11 km from Kotturu taluk

Near By Tourist Places:

• KotturuBasaveshwara Temple
• Jarimale&Gudekote, KudligiTq.
• Hampi&T.B.Dam, HosapeteTq,
• Mylaralingeshwara Temple &KuruvattiMallikarjuna Temple, HoovianahadagaliTq
• BagaliKalleshwara Temple &Ucchhangi Durga Temples, HarapanahalliTq.

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