Shri Kuruvathi Basaveshwara Swamy Temple

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Shri Kuruvathi Basaveshwara Swamy Temple is around 600 years old, built under Vijayanagara architecture during the period (1336–1565). It got its name because the Lord Basaveshwara/Nandi came here to heal the kuru the wounds of the devotees.

This temple is one of the forms of Nandi. The holy temple is dedicated to Nandi who is in the form of a bull. It is believed that Lord Nandi came here in search of Lord Shiva (Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy), found him on the bank of Tungabhadra River, sat in front of him, and started worshiping him from then on.

Lord Nandi, also known as Basaveshwara or Basavanna, is believed by followers to be very merciful, being the fulfiller of every wish made to him by the devotees. He provides the blessing to the people by healing the wounds of their life. Lord Nandi is worshiped here as the main deity. In Kuruvathi, Lord Basaveshwara’s idol is 10 feet long and 9 feet high. Here Lord Basaveshwara fulfills the request of the devotees and blesses them and their families if one offers prayer to him from Bhakti.

This temple consists of a Garbhagriha, Sukanasi, a Navaranga connecting the sanctum and outer Mandapa, and a Rangamantapa. The Mandapa is built on square or polygonal plinths with carved friezes four to five feet high and has ornate stepped entrances on all four sides with miniature elephants. The Mandapas are supported by ornate pillars.

Kuruvathi is also known as Dakshina Kashi/Varanasi, as the Tungabhadra river flows from east to west because in Kashi/Varanasi the Ganges river flows from east to west.

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The holy mantra chanted here is “Jaya Namaha Parvathi Patheye Hara Hara Maha Deva”, “Om Namaha Shivaya” and “Om Shri Kuruvathi Basaveshwaraya Namaha”.