Where traditions come alive

Mylara is a small village located in Hoovina Hadagali taluk of Ballari district. The popular ancient shrine of Mylara Lingeshwara, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated in this village. The people of Gorava community, who live in this area, are ardent devotees of this deity. Nowadays, thousands of devotees from Karnataka and other states visit this shrine.

There is an interesting legend about the origin of this temple. It says, a demon called Mallasura and his brother Manikasura performed severe penance to Lord Brahma to achieve immortality. Lord Brahma was pleased with their penance and granted a boon that no human being or any being in the forms in existence then  could be able to harm them. With this power, the demons started harassing the sages and terrorising common people.

When the distressed sages and people appealed to Lord Shiva, he took the form of a fearful hunter Mylara, and with the help of seven crore Gorava warriors, fought with the demons. On the occasion, instead of riding his vehicle Nandi, he rode a horse, followed by hunting dogs. Unable to subdue them due to the boon given by Brahma, he created five non-human warriors called panchaveeras to assist him. Devi Parvati in the form of Gangee Mallamma helped him in the fight.

Ultimately, Lord Mylara beheaded both the demons and restored peace. It is said that Lord Mylara took the teeth of the demons and wore them like a necklace and their skin as garment. After killing the demons, Mylareshwara is believed to have rested in this locale along with his consort Devi Parvati, known here as Gangee Mallamma. Subsequently, the shrine was built here.

The shrine has a beautiful arched entrance on which is sculpted the scene of Lord Mylara, mounted on horseback, killing the demons. It also shows Shakti seated behind him, holding a trident, probably to add strength and support. Inside the parikrama a small pillared mantapa is located, and adjacent to this stands the sanctum sanctorum with a small decorated dome over it. The dome is colourfully crafted with a few statuettes depicting the story of Mylareshwara. The Shivalinga is placed on the ground, almost buried, in the garbhagriha and is always covered with a silver mask having the facial features of Lord Shiva.

Behind the linga, on a raised pedestal sits a huge idol of Mylareshwara in a fearsome form. He holds the damaru and a pot full of fire in his left hands; a trident and sword in the right hands.

A small Nandi faces the linga just outside. There are several granite slabs placed all around the inside walls, on which can be seen the carvings of apsaras and nagas. Some giant size sandals presented to the Lord by devotees are displayed inside the mantapa.

A small shrine for Gangee Mallamma is also located inside the complex. There is also a beautiful statuette of Lord Ganesha at the bottom of the huge flag mast in front of the temple. The most famous festival celebrated here is the annual Mylara jatre. This includes special rituals like the karnika utsava and pavada.

The karnika utsava is attended by thousands of devotees belonging to the Gorava community. This community is also known as Mylara Vira Bhatas. They wear a woollen blanket over their shoulders, necklaces made of shells and have alms bowls in their hands. The Gorava women engage in a dance called gomdi at the temple premises during the jatre.

The fame of the shrine is increasing by the year, and now lakhs of devotees converge here during the jatre.