Yediyur Siddhalingeshwara Swamy Temple

Yediyur Siddhalingeshwara Temple is a very famous Hindu pilgrimage centre situated in Yedeyur Village, Kunigal Town of Karnataka State in India.
Though called as a temple, it contains Nirvikalpa Shivayoga Samadhi of Tontada Siddalinga, a Great revered Veerashaiva Saint who flourished during the end of 15th century.
The temple holds annual festivals during Maha Shivaratri and Ugadi.
On the 7th Day of the commencement of the Hindu calendar (Ugadi), jathra is performed to mark the attaining of the Samadhi of Sri Siddhalingeshwara. Every year on Maha Shivarathri Sahasra Rudrabhisheka is performed. The Sahasra Kamala Pooja, Laksha Bilvarchana pooja is performed in the month of Shravana and Kumbhabhisheka is performed on each new moon day. During the annual festival of deepavali ( festival of lights ) Laskha deepotsava is performed by illuminating the temple with oil lamps as per Hindu tradition.
The temple has a large wooden Chariot (Ratha). The car festival is held on the 7th lunar day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra Masa (March-April).

[edit] About Sri Siddhalingeshwara Swamy

Sri Siddhalingeshwara Swamy a great revered Sharana Saint is considered as an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He travelled far and wide preaching Sharana faith (Shaivism).
He performed 12 years of penance at a garden belongs to vokkaligara Nambiyana(Thota) and hence came to be known as Thontada Siddalingeshwara Swamy. He headed the Murugi muth and had a large following of disciples some of who wrote on Veerashaiva faith and philosophy. Hence Yedeyuru is deemed to be a seat of awakened spiritual consciousness.
He has written Shathsthala Jnana Saramrutha, containing 701 Vachanas (Poems) which are directing Sthalas (route) to Attain Ikya i.e. involvement to light.
He travelled far and wide, preached eternal truth and performed many miracles for scores of people irrespective of their caste or creed. His life and values held by him demonstrated the divine powers attained by him to heal the sick and suffering.
He is regarded as one of the greatest Saints of the Sharana Sect in the Hindu religion.