Kotilingeshwara Temple: Timings, History, and Complete Travel Guide

Kotilingeshwara Temple is one of the most famous Shiva temples in India, located in Kammasandra village, Kolar district, Karnataka. It is best known for having one of the largest Shiva Lingams in the world, standing at an incredible 108 feet tall. Devotees and tourists visit throughout the year, with huge crowds gathering on special days like Maha Shivaratri, Dasara, and Ramanavami.

History of Kotilingeshwara Temple

The temple was built by Sri Swami Shiva Murthy, and the very first Linga was installed the same year. According to popular belief, the temple’s founder once belonged to a Brahmin family that worshipped Lord Shiva, though he himself did not believe in God for many years. During a visit to a temple, the lamps around him mysteriously went out. Realizing this was a sign, he corrected his ways and completed his prayers — and the lamps lit up again on their own. This experience is said to have inspired the creation of the temple.

The temple was built in 1980 across 13 acres of land, and today it sits on around 15 acres. Inside, you’ll also find shrines dedicated to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Maheshwara.

Why Kotilingeshwara Temple Is Special

The name “Kotilingeshwara” means “10 million lingas,” and the temple lives up to its name — it is filled with lakhs of small Shiva Lingas spread across the grounds. At the center stands the giant 108-foot Shivalinga, along with a massive 35-foot Nandi (Shiva’s bull) statue facing it. The Nandi sits on a large platform that is 60 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 4 feet high.

Currently, the temple has around 90 lakh (9 million) Shiva Lingas, with an ongoing goal to reach a full crore (10 million) — matching its name.

The Legend Behind the Lingas

According to local legend, a sage named Gautama was cursed by Lord Indra. To free himself from the curse, the sage placed a Shiva Lingam at this spot and prayed to Lord Shiva, offering water from ten million sacred rivers. That very Lingam is believed to still rest here today.

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Kotilingeshwara Temple Timings

• Open daily: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Best time to visit: Early morning, around 8 AM, to avoid crowds
• Busiest festival: Maha Shivaratri (February), which draws about 2 lakh (200,000) devotees

Entry Fees and Charges

Temple Address

Kotilingeshwara Temple Road, Ghattakamadenahalli, Kolar – 563121, Karnataka

Distance from Major Cities

• From Bangalore: About 100 km
• From Kolar town: About 35 km
• From Bangarapet: About 14 km
• From Kolar Gold Fields (KGF): About 10 km

Also Read: Kadiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple Timings, Accomodation Info

How to Reach Kotilingeshwara Temple

By Road

The temple is easily accessible by road with good highway conditions. A common route from Bangalore is: Outer Ring Road → KR Puram → Hoskote → Kolar → Temple

Local buses and taxis are also available from Kolar, which is just 2.5 km from the temple.

By Train

The nearest well-connected railway stations include Bangalore, Kolar, Hassan, Hubli, and Mangalore.

By Air

The nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore. From there, you can easily book a cab or use public transport to reach the temple.

Other Kotilingeshwara Temples in South India

While the Kolar temple is the most famous, there are a few other temples with the same name:

• Kotilingeshwara Swamy Temple, Siddipet (Telangana): Located in Siddipet town, Medak district, this temple was built in the late 1970s and also runs an independent Vedic school on its premises. Its main deity, the Kotilingeshwara Mahalingam, is a sacred stone brought from Varanasi.
• Rajahmundry: This site is connected to the same Gautama legend, where the sage is believed to have placed a Shiva Lingam after anointing it with waters from ten million rivers.

Quick Facts

• Height of main Shivalinga: 108 feet
• Height of Nandi statue: 35 feet
• Temple area: 15 acres
• Number of Shiva Lingas: Around 90 lakh (aiming for 1 crore)
• Annual visitors: About 2 lakh devotees