About

Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple located at Kavoor is one among the famous temnples in Dakshina Kannada District situated beside the shore of the vast lake reminds the Kailsa Hill which is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva.

The temple is at a distance of about 5Kms from the Mangalore city and is situated in Kavoor village in the outskirts of city. The surrounding regions have become popular now a days because of the presence of the temple in this region. This temple has a rich history dating back to many years and has been renovated with attractive architure designs.

The main deity of the temple is Lord Mahalingeshwara with his idol installed in the form of the Linga facing towards the Eastern direction. As per the history of the temple, it is learnt that many years back, Kuvera Maharshi, an saint had spent some days in this place when he was on his Teerthayathra and was worshipping Lord Parameshwara.

Kavoor Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple which belongs to Kulur Magane is considered to be one of the ancient temple in Tulunadu with its history dating back to over 600 years back. The history says that the temple was administered by Karnanthaya Ballal. who belonged to Kuloor Beedu.

Kuloor Magane comprised of 9 nearby villages namely Kavoor, Kunjathbail, Kuloor, Padukodi, Bangra Kuloor, Uliya, Padushedde, Athrbailu and Marakada. It is said that Lord Mahalingeshwara which was an main deity for the people of above said villages was administered by Ballals of Kuloor Beedu from the year 1853 for next 100 years.

Those sections of people who believe in existence of God worship him in many forms but with same aim of seeking good fortunes. There are many number of shrines along the west coast, but it is unknown mystrey about their history. Now we need to believe and trust on the available inscriptions, stories.

The same way, many histories, stories prevail about the existence of Kavoor Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple. This place got the name as "Kavoor" beacuse of the saint "Kuvera Maharshi" who had visited this place. It is believed that the deity who is worshipped now in the temple was the God who had appeared as a result of salvation performed by the saint.

Thereafter this region was subjected to the rule of many Kings. But we can learn from the inscription that King Kunda Verma had built a temple to Lord Mahalingeshwara, who was also an main deity for the surrounding villages.

Around 14 - 15 th century, entire Tulunadu was ruled by many kings. That too Kavoor Mahalingeshwara was main deity for the Ballal's of Kuloor Beedu who administered this region. It can be learnt from the fact that these kings had a practice of inscripting the word "Shree Mahalingeshwara" on their finger rings.

The villages namely Panjimogaru, Padukodi, Kunjathbail, Marakada, Kuloor was under the adminitration of Jain Ballal of Kuloor Beedu. It was a customary for the Kings of Ballal family to be called as "Karnantthaya". These Kings had a very good relationship with the temple.