About

Vidhyadhara Kshethra :

In one of the inscriptions which is said to be of 14th century, there is mention of the word "Edaya". It is said that as years rolled on, this word had taken form of "Idya" whic is the current name of the village where the temple exits.

History

Among the Kings who had ruled Dakshina Kannada District, Alupa's are the first rulers. During their regime, Udayapura (Udyavara), Barkur, Mangalapura and Moodabidri were the capitals on turns. During the administration of Bankideva - II (1285 AD - 1315 AD), severe drought had hit the Tulunadu kingdom which had brought the major concern to the ruler. Hence with desperate he vowed to offer wealth to "Timireshwara Temple" if there was rain in the appropriate season. As his wish there was a good rain in the folllowing saeson thus bringing a great relief to the King. Hence to fulfil his vow, King donated wealth, land, villages to Tmireshwara Temples which can be learnt from the many available inscriptions. It is said that there is a reference of "Lord Timireshwara" in one of the inscriptions recovered from Idya which justifies the above phrase. Thus we can conclude that they were belivers of "Shaiva" and had encourgaed the construction of temples dedicated to Loed Shiva.

History says that a large number of temples had been constructed during the glory days of Vijayanagara rulers which were reffered by many names such as - Markandeshwara, Koteshwara, Kotinatha, Kantheshwara, Timireshwara, nakareshwara, Nandikeshwara, Tuluveshwara, Gokarneshwara, Mahabaleshwara, Kundeshwara, Kirumandileshwara, Somanatha, Veerabhadra, Mahalinga, Panchalinga, mahadeva, Shankaranarayana, Vishvanatha, Amrithanataha, etc. It is said that there was a "Jangama Mutt" at Idya which cocludes that there followers of Shaiva customes.

During the regime of Vijayanagara Kings, Tulunadu were ruled by many small kings namely - Banga's of Bangawadi, Chowta's of Moodabidri, Ajila's of Venoor, Samantha's of Moolky, Bhairarasa's of Karkala, Tolaha's of Suralu, Salva's of Sangeethapura and Gerusoppa. Also Ballal's and Hegde's ruled the regions excluding Kundapura Taluk. The inscriptions of 1378 obtained at Mangaluru and Moodabidri revelas that these small kings were assisting Vijayanagara Kings as their representatives in this region. Since there is a reference of "Yedeya" (Ideya), Turitha Kallu (Surathkal), Chitrapura, Padunamburu (Panamburu) in the inscription of Kadri, it is concluded that in the year 1345, these regions were under the administration of Vijayanagara Kings. Later Nayaka's of Keladi ruled this region on the foot of western Ghat which came to known as "Tulu Rajya". It is also said that during the regime of Alupa's Kings were biased towards Jainism and it is also notable that many small rulers such as Ballal's Hegde's Samantha's, Chowta's Ajila's were Jain KIngs. It acn be recalled that "Idya Beedu", "Katla Beedu" and "Kalyani Beedu" at Idya had belonged to Jains.

There is an inscription available in the temple complex at Idya belived to be of 10-11 century but not in the form to read it. In another inscription obatinaed near the temple (1400 AD - 1450 AD) reveals the reference of Idya deity and Vidhydhara Maharshi.

Source : https://rcmysore-portal.kar.nic.in/temples/IdyaMahalingeshwaraTemple/History.htm