Sri Shiva Mailar Mallanna Temple

Sri Shiva Mailar Mallanna is also known as Khanderao, Khanderaya, Malhari Martand, Malanna, Mailara Linga and Mallu Khan is worshipped as Martanda Bhairava, a form of Shiva is the main deity worshiped by Kurubas, Uppaaras and other Hindus, mainly in the Deccan plateau of India, especially in the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The main priest of this temple belongs to Kurubas community. Sri Shiva Mailar Mallanna temple is in Mailar or Khanapur village and which is situated at 15 kms from Bidar on Bidar-Udgir Road. The legend tell of the demon Mallasur (Malla) (in Kannada aur means demons) and his younger brother Manikasur (Mani), who had gained the boon of invincibility from Brahma, creating chaos on the earth and harassing the sages. When the seven sages approached Shiva for protection after Indra and Vishnu confessed their incapability, Shiva assumed the form (Avatar) of Martanda Bhairava, as the Mahatmya calls Mallanna (Khandoba), riding the Nandi bull, leading an army of the Gods. Martanda Bhairava is described as shining like the gold and sun, covered in turmeric, three-eyed, with a crescent moon on his forehead. The demon army was slaughtered by the Gods and finally Khandoba killed Malla and Mani. While dying, Malla offers his white horse to Khandoba as an act of repentance and asks for a boon. The boon is that he will be present in every shrine of Khanbobs and thus this temple is called Sri Shiva Mailari Mallanna (Khandoba) temple. The temple is very famous in the north karnataka and every year temple attracts millions of devotees from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Sunday is believed to be the main worship day and the same day near temple, Goat, Sheep, Cow and other animal trading also takes place.