Kotilingeshwar Temple - Pura

This village is located 38 km from Kushtagi and marks the border of the taluk. Ancient inscriptions refer to it as “Vuhilapura.” It is an archaeological site with ancient temples, inscriptions, hunting records and several sculptures. The Someshwara Temple (Kotilingeshwar Temple), was built in the 12th century in the Kalyana Chalukyan architectural style, the temple is known as Kotilingeshwar or Kotishankara Lingeshwar. The north-facing temple comprises a Sanctum (Garbhagriha), Assembly hall (Sabhamantapa), vestibule (Ardhamantapa), Entrance porch (Mukhamantapa) and a spacious courtyard. The Sanctum houses a two-foot-tall Shiva Linga. The entrance to the Sanctum is narrow, with simple door frames. The spacious Sabhamantapa features four central pillars surrounding a well, the water is used for daily worship. The pillars have square, octagonal and circular sections with ornate carvings. A downward-facing lotus is carved into the ceiling above the pillars. Behind the well stands a Nandi statue. An unusual stone pavilion, supported by three pillars and topped with a large stone slab, is located in the right corner of the temple. The Sanctum and vestibule have Dravidian-style Towers (Shikharas). The Sanctum’s tower, seemingly from the Vijayanagara period, has three tiers. The first tier has decorative pilasters and ornamental eaves, the second features projecting cornices and the third showcases circular moldings. The vestibule tower is a more recent addition. Lotus carvings adorn the temple walls. A circumambulatory path (Pradakshina Patha) surrounds the temple, enclosed by a simple boundary wall. The temple faces east, with square pillars at the entrance platform. The outer compound features brick walls with Nandi sculptures at each corner, a central gopuram and lotus motifs. Small shrines with thousands of lingas and detached sculptures surround the sanctum. Daily rituals are performed in the Someshwara Temple and an annual fair and grand celebration take place on the last Monday of the Shravana month