Devaragudda in Kannada means “the sacred hill belonging to the almighty”.
Devaragudda is situated at about 10 km from Ranebennur taluk in Haveri district in Karnataka, India. The nearest railroad is at Ranebenneur. The nearest airport is at Hubli.
On top of Devaragudda is situated the temple of Lord Mailaralingeshwara also known as Malatesha in Karnataka State. The same Deity is called Mallanna in Andhra Pradesh and Jyotiba / Khandoba in some parts of the neighbouring state of Maharashtra.
This temple is operated and maintained privately by a family residing within the temple premises. Religious rituals are performed here on daily basis and special pujas are performed on Poornimas (full moon day), Saturdays and Sundays.
Within the temple premises one can also see a number of men with peculiar clothing. They are called Gorappas or goravas. Lord Shiva took the form of Mailara to slay the demon brothers Mallasura and Manikasura. According to legend 7 crore goravas helped Mylara to slay the asuras/demons. Many families have this form of Shiva as their family deity.
These Gorappas are typically dressed in black colored gowns made of sheep wool and with religious symbols set on them. These men wear turbans on their heads and carry tridents and other religious mascots along with them. They are considered to be the messenger of the lord.
A fair known as Karnikotsava is held every year on the full moon days during the month of February. It is believed that on this day Lord Mylara with his consort Gangamalavva visit Myalara riding on a white horse. On this day, hundreds of devotees congregate at the temple and chant “ Elukoti Elukoti Elukotigo ….. chanmalo changmalo”. At noon a huge wooden bow is placed in Denkana maradi and a Gorava climbs up and announces a prophecy.
Lord Shiva took the form of Mailara to slay the demon brothers Mallasura and Manikasura. According to legend 7 crore goravas helped Mylara to slay the asuras/demons. Many families have this form of Shiva as their family deity.
A fair known as Karnikotsava is held every year on the full moon days during the month of February. It is believed that on this day Lord Mylara with his consort Gangamalavva visit Myalara riding on a white horse. On this day, hundreds of devotees congregate at the temple and chant “ Elukoti Elukoti Elukotigo ….. chanmalo changmalo”. At noon a huge wooden bow is placed in Denkana maradi and a Goraca climbs up and announces a prophecy.
Big leather slippers of the Lord Malatesha at the entrance of the temple are one of the attractions here.
Source: http://www.itslife.in/travel/mailara-lingeshwara-temple-at-devara-gudda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devaragudda
Image sources:
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/07/a2/64/5d/maltesh-mailara-temple.jpg
