Kotturu, Karnataka

Kotturu
town
Kottur Rathotsav festival
Kotturu Location in Karnataka, India
Coordinates: 14°49′01″N 76°13′01″E / 14.817°N 76.217°ECoordinates: 14°49′01″N 76°13′01″E / 14.817°N 76.217°E
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District	Bellary district
Area
• Total	33.08 km^2 (12.77 sq mi)
Elevation	586 m (1,923 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	22,701
• Density	686.25/km^2 (1,777.4/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Kannada
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	583 134
Telephone code	08391

Kotturu is a Panchayat town in the Bellary district of the Indian state of Karnataka. It was the home of Guru Kottureshwara, a 15th-century Hindu saint. More than 100,000 people gather during the car festival (rathotsava) held during February every year. kottur belongs to kudligi taluk

Kotturu is famous for a dish called mandakki-menasinakayi, a mixture of puffed rice with savories, accompanied by chili pepper fritters. The chilli peppers are slit along their lengths, stuffed with a condiment of salt and black pepper, dipped in lentil batter and deep fried.

LORD SRI GURU KOTTURSHAWARA SWAMY

kotturu temple

KOTTURU NEW RLY BOARD

KOTTURU RAILWAY STATION

History

Kotturu is named after Saint Kottureshwara, so its history stems from the history of Guru Kottureshwara. Legend has it that, when the Lingayath Dharma was leaning towards Vedic Sanathana style. To refine and to create awareness about Basavadi pranitha sharana Dhrma to people and to make them understand about shdsthala, Astavarana Lord Kottureswara spent his lifetime. That is why devotees call him as Astavarana Tatvopadeshi Guru. It is believed that he accompanied in his heart to all the people and solved the people's problems.

The Virasaiva religion brought into practice by Lord Basavanna in 12th century and lord Kottureswara was the continuity of same sharana parampare established by Basava and sharanas. Kottu or Kodu in Kannada means give and Eshwar means God (Kotu + Eshwara= Kottureshwara). No one knows about birth and childhood of Kottureswara, but he reached shikhapura at a young age. He travelled from North Kashmir to Kanyakumari. During the ruling of Akbar in Delhi, Lord Kottureswar appeared in the bedroom of Akbar's wife as Old saint and blessed her. Hearing the voice of the old man the door keeping soldier informed this to the king emperor Akbar. Akbar came in anger to the queen's bedroom and saw the mid aged person sleeping in the queen's bed. For Queen Kottureshwara appeared as saint and for Akbar saint appeared as an ordinary person. He attacked on Kottureshwar with Sword the sword became Flower Garland. Then Akbar realized his mistake and surrendered to Lord. Lord Kottureshwar blessed Akbar and Rajput queen that is akbar wife. Akbar presented Lord Kottureshwar with his Sword and the Cot on which lord Kottureshwara was sleeping. This Cot is located at Gachchina Mutt even now. He also declared as Sarsipura or Shikapura an independent territory which was under his ruling.

Lord Kottureswara temples are divided into 4 shrines in Kottur

1. Murkalmutt (3 stone shrine)
2. Thotalmutt (shrine with cradle)
3. Darbarmutt or Doddamutt (king assembly shrine or big shrine)
4. Gachina mutt (shrine where saint returns kailsa by meditating)

In first mutt is that onelord entered Kotturu. Second mutt where lord bless a child. Third Is the mutt where he used give sadare (preaching on religion) solve the problems of people. The fourth is the mutt where Guru Kottureswara entered Ikya Stala the final stage of Shudstala (Yoga Samadhi).

There is another story related to the Gachhina mutt. Earlier this used to be a temple of Lord Veerabhadra. Once people started visiting Lord Kottureswara to get the blessings, they start neglecting Veerabhadra. Lord Veerabhadra complained about this to Lord Kottureshwara. Then the guru asked him to occupy another place called Kodathgudda where Lord Veerabhadra's temple is situated now. This is also equally famous temple in this region.

Lord Kottureshwara visited a village near Mysore and noticed the devotion of the priest in a temple (priest's name Karilingeswara). He requested him to come with him and be his disciple and the priest in the temple. There is a saying that he also ordered that only the children from his family should be the priests for the next forthcoming generations. To take care of the priest's family a land was given in the nearby village called K. Ayyanahalli. There is a temple dedicated to Karilingeswara in this village. Some of the descendants of his family continue to do the worship at the Hiremath and stay in this village.

In memory of Lord Kottureshwara, devotees keep the name a Kotresh for boys. Kotresh is one of the very common name found in and around Kotturu.

There is annual fair every year which happens just before MahaShivaratri. The devotees from all over the area assemble to witness the fair and car festival. Some of the devotees even reach Kottur by walk from their native place. During the month of December there will be Karthikotsava.

There is a temple of Kotturamma (Parvathi) at the outskirts of Kottur. Kotturamma is neither the wife or related to Lord Kottureshwara. She is a form of Goddess Parvathi. The Karnam family of Kottur maintains the temple. There is a festival in every August where in which lakhs of people attend the festival. The place is famed by veteran theater persona Kotturappa, a legendary actor, whose performance in the role of Danashoora Karna is widely known throughout Karnataka.Deshi, Devaramane Shivanandappa, is the first Writer of the place who was also sub Editor of a local daily, RAITA, from Bellary. Bhdrashhetty Sanna Rudrappa, Gorali Sharanappa, Dr.Alabur Nanjappa are a few of the Freedom fighters from this place.

Geography

Kotturu is located at 14°49′N 76°13′E / 14.82°N 76.22°E.^[1] It has an average elevation of 587 metres (1925 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[2] Kotturu had a population of 22,667. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Kotturu has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 61%. In Kotturu, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Notable persons from Kotturu

Devaramani Shivanandappa, pen name DESI, who authored AUTHANA, a collection of essays is the first writer of this place. MMJ sadyojathappa, who was Transport Minister in the Government of Karnataka, during the tenure of Mr.Gundurao, hailed from this place. Veerappa master, master of masters belonged to this place. Eliwalu siddaiah, known for his role as Krishna Paramatma in the Kannada movie KRUSHNA GARUDI, Kottur Chennabasappa, are the famed cine-actors. Recently released Kannada movie Krishnan Marriage Story, the debut director Mr. Nuthan Umesh also from Kotturu.

Dr.Halli gurubasappa, a scholor and Scientist from this place got settled in Australia, decades way back.

Kum.Veerabhadrappa (Writer),who is a recipient of Kendra Sahitya Academy award, is still living here. His Kotreshi Kanasu and Beliya hoogalu (Mana Mechhida hudugi) are made as films in Kannada.

Transport

Currently there is only one passenger train which arrival at 11:00 from Harihar and departure at 12:10 again towards Harihar. Shortly there will be a new train towards Hospet.

References

1. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kotturu
2. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.

External links