Puttur Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple
The principal Shiva temple of Puttur town, popularly called Puttur Mahalingeshwara, known for its major annual Puttur Bedi car festival.
Photos of Puttur Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple
History & Significance
History & Origin
Accounts of the temple's founding vary, with some dating it to around the 8th century CE and others describing it as a 12th-century shrine; it has long been governed under the Karnataka state Department of Muzrai (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments).
Religious & Cultural Significance
The temple is the ritual centre of Puttur town, and its annual car festival, Puttur Bedi, is among the best-known temple festivals of the Dakshina Kannada interior, drawing large crowds alongside its Lakshadeepotsava lamp festival.
Architecture
Built in the coastal Karnataka temple style with Kerala influences, the temple compound includes a sacred Ashwatha (peepal) tree as its sthala vriksha and is associated with early inscriptions of the Ashokan period.
Temple Timings
- Morning
- 5:30 AM - 1:00 PM
- Evening
- 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Festivals & Events
- Puttur Bedi (annual car festival)
- Lakshadeepotsava
- Maha Shivaratri
- Navaratri
Location
- Address
- Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Puttur, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka 574201
- Area
- Puttur
- City
- Puttur
- Taluk
- Puttur
- District
- Dakshina Kannada
- State
- Karnataka
- PIN Code
- 574201