Sep 27, 2025

Prasanna Virupaksha Gudi and Lakshman Tirtha

Malyavanta Gudda is a rocky hill situated off Kamalapur-Bukkasagara road. The hill is mainly known for three things; Raghunatha Devastana, group of Linga and sunsets. Raghunatha temple is part of a walled complex of three temples and a pillared hall (Kalyana Mantapa). The enclosure has three entrances on the southern and eastern sides, both entrances have pyramidal towers (Gopura), the southern Gopura being the tallest. The third entrance, on the western wall, is a simple passage, basically a way to reach the Shiva shrine and group of Linga. The Lingas are situated on either side of a long fissure which is a source of fresh water. This source of water is called Lakshman Thirta. In the Hindu tradition, almost every shrine is situated close to a source of water be it a stream, pond or spring.

You can see water at the lower end of the fissure despite being the dry part of the year. The other aspect is every Linga is accompanied by Nandi.

Next to the upper end of the Thirtha is a shrine called Prasanna Virupaksha Gudi. I think originally it  was an semi open shrine meaning the only shelter was the natural rock formation. The walled structure is a later addition. However it is an ancient structure probably built during Vijayanagara times.

Close to the Thirtha and temple is a broken rock. Looks like the rock was used for construction here.

This is the rear of the temple which is part natural and part manmade. The interior of the temple is a small hall, its ceiling tapers down as we move to the innermost part where the deity is situated. So one has to kneel down inside. That's Sridhar kneeling down next to the Shivalinga (see left inset). A stone's throw from this temple is a big rock formation balanced on two points.

Talking about Sahasralinga, there are two more groups of Shivalinga at Chakrathirtha the place where river Tungabhadra turns northwards.

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