Shri Vishweshwara Temple

The Yelluru Shri Vishweshwara Temple is located in Yellur Town, Udupi District in Karnataka. The Yelluru Shri Vishweshwara Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located in the small village of Yellur, this 1, 000 year old temple has been mentioned in 12 rock edicts. This temple is considered to be a unique example of the Devaayathana style of architecture. The temple has been recently completely renovated without changing the original style. According to puranic legends, Kunda Raja an honest Shudra King of the Kathyar Dynasty once requested Bhargava Muni (Sage Bharadhwaja) to stay in his kingdom to which he said there were no temples or Brahmins and even a sacred river or tulsi and refused the invitation. The disappointed king handed over the charge of his kingdom to his deputy and set out to the banks of river Ganga and performed great penance to please Lord Shiva. Seeing the king's devotion, Lord Shiva appeared and asked him to make a wish. An elated Kunda Raja requested that the Lord to stay in his kingdom and the Lord readily agreed saying He will make His appearance at a spot where enmity and hatred are unheard of. Accordingly He made Yellur one of His abodes. Meanwhile, an old woman whose son Yellu had just died, was collecting firewood and vegetables in the forest. She was cutting a bush when her spade hit the earth and she was shocked to see blood spurting out. She is said to have cried out, in Tulu, "Oh, Maga Yellu, Yei Moolu Ullana?" meaning 'Oh, my son Yellu, are you here?'. When the spot was dug up, a Shiva Linga was discovered there. Because of the old lady's cry, this place came to be known as 'Yelluna Ooru' which later became Yelluru. The Shiva Linga was still bleeding where the spade had hit and the bleeding stopped only when the King performed abhisheka with tender coconut water. So, this practice continues till now. Performing abhisheka with tender coconut is considered very special at this temple. Tender coconut oil is also offered to God. According to the temple authorities this constant offering of oil ensures that the lamps in the temple will never go dry.