Male Mahadeshwara Hills

MALE MAHADESHWARA HILLS

MM Hills Temple Gopuram

Male Mahadeshwara Hills is situated about 150 km from Mysore and is a sacred place, with its famous Shiva temple. Mahadeswara, as lord Shiva is called in this place, is a deity worshiped by one and all in the surrounding places. Amidst dense forest, the temple attracts not only the pilgrims but also nature lovers.

The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Male Mahadeshwara is located in South end of Karnataka state, in the Chamaraja Nagar District. It is a very popular & holy ancient temple, surrounded by 77 hills in the Eastern Ghats. The Lord Sri Mahadeshwara is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. It is a very famous Shaiva piligrim centre. The Lord Sri Mahadeshwara's miracles are beautifully sung by the village folk in Janapada (folk) Style. The height of the hill is about 930 m(3000 feet)above the sea level.

Mahadeshwara is the family god of the hill tribals Soligas, Jenu Kurubas, Kadu Kurubas and also Kuruba Gowdas of Mysore and Chamarajnagar districts.. But, historical evidences suggest that saint Mahadeshwara must have lived during the 15th century. Further, he was the third head of the Haradanahalli Math.[. About 600 years ago, Sri Mahadeshwara Swamy came here to perform penance and it is believed that he is still performing penance in the temple's Garbha Gudi in the form of Linga. The Linga, worshipped now in the Garbha Gudi, is a self developed (Swayambhu) one. Sri Male Mahadeshwara Swamy was moving on a tiger known as Huli Vahana (Tiger as a vehicle) and performed a number of miracles around the hills to save the people and 
saints living there. The area of the temple surroundings is 155.57 acres. In addition, the temple has lands at Talabetta, Haleyuru & Indiganatha Villages. The temple was built by a rich Kuruba landlord called Junje Gowda.

Story of Mahadeshwara

Ughe Anni Malaya Mahadeshwaranige, Ughe Anni huli govugala kataluva jaga dodayanige. Ughe, Ughe. Lord Male Mahadeshwara was born in the Kaliyuga. He chose his mother as Uttrajamma. He learnt in Saluru Mutt at Male Mahadeshwara Hills. He has many legends which could are narrated on his name. To name one of them is Sankamma Kate. This narrates about the devotion she had on the Lord. Male Madheshwara narrates the adventures and achievements of a spiritual hero of the Shaiva people of southern Karnataka. Probably he lived in the 14th century. According to the story Mahadeshwara was born to a fair coloured virgin woman. Shiva incarnates himself on earth as Mahadeshwara to destroy an evil king called Shravanasura.

A pilgrimage to Malai Mahadeswara temple also includes a holy dip in the "antaragange", a stream flowing from a perennial source.

Poojas at the TempleApart from being a pilgrimage, M.M.Hills possesses natural beauty in the form of large tracts of forest area. The beautiful landscapes of hills and valleys are covered with extensive forests. These forest types vary from evergreen forests in Ponnachi Boli to Dry deciduous forests in most other parts.  M.M.Hills is bound by river Kaveri to the north-east and by river Palar to the south. Thus, it forms  an extremely important catchment area for both these rivers.


First Pooja: 5.30am
Rudrabhisheka: 6.00 am to 8.00 am and 10.30 to 12 noon.
Archana: 6.30 pm and 8.00 pm.


Sankashta Chathurti Poojas are performed on New Moon and Full Moon day of every month. Deepavali and Maha Shivaratri are very famous here.


For devotees and pilgrims there is Dasoha Bhavana, where Anna Dana (free food) offered through out the year. One can find accommodation and lodging at guest houses at MM Hills. There are many temples and shrines  near by MM Hills

The forests of M.M.Hills have been famous for wonderful regeneration and stock of sandalwood and bamboo. The forests are inhabited by a variety of animals, birds and reptiles. They are found in large numbers too. Elephants are the most prominent species. This last estimate puts the population of elephants at more than 2500 in the district, which includes Bandipur National Park too. Frequent sightings of guars (Indian Bison),  sambars, spotted deer, jackals, sloth bears, porcupine, etc., apart from rare sightings of tigers,  leopards  and wild dogs are possible in and around this area. The Male Mahadeshwara Reserve Forests, has  an approximate area of 39361.45 ha and has few small villages like Ponnachi, M.M.Hills, Kombadikki, Kokkebore, Doddane, Tokere, Tholsikere, Palar, Gopinatham,Indiganatham, etc., as enclosures within the reserve forests Route : Bangalore - Mysore – Kollegala-Kamagere-Hanur-Gowdahalli -Maha Madheswara Beta (M.M.Hills  / Madhewara Malai in Tamil)-Mysore - 210 Kms

Trekking
Trek to Palar from M M Hills is famous and takes about 2 days. One has to trek to Nagamale (1000m) via Indignata (874m), a hill which has a huge rock split into two portions which resembles a Linga guarded 
by a snake. On the next day the trek will begin from Nagamale to the Parasalnatham (654 m) then Palar. 
This route has scenic view and one can enjoy the nature bounty.



Note to Trekkers:
One has to carry food and water. The villagers in the area are helpful but there is no electricity at Indignatha. The first day will be more rigorous and tough. Beware of wild animals and take 
necessary precautions. MM Hills has food facilities.


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