Kotturu, Karnataka
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Kotturu ಕೊಟ್ಟೂರು |
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| Town | |
Kottur Rathotsav festival
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 Kotturu
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| Coordinates: 14°49′01″N 76°13′01″E / 14.817°N 76.217°ECoordinates: 14°49′01″N 76°13′01″E / 14.817°N 76.217°E | |
| Country |
 India
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| State | Karnataka |
| District | Bellary district |
| Area | |
| • Total | 33.08 km2 (12.77 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 586 m (1,923 ft) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 22,701 |
| • Density | 686.25/km2 (1,777.4/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kannada |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 583 134 |
| Telephone code | 08391 |
Kotturu is a Panchayat town in the Bellary district of the Indian state of Karnataka. It was the home of Guru Kottureshwara, a 15th-century Hindu saint. More than 100,000 people gather during the car festival (rathotsava) held during February every year. kottur belongs to kudligi taluk
Kotturu is famous for a dish called mandakki-menasinakayi, a mixture of puffed rice with savories, accompanied by chili pepper fritters. The chilli peppers are slit along their lengths, stuffed with a condiment of salt and black pepper, dipped in lentil batter and deep fried.
Kotturu is named after Saint Kottureshwara, so its history stems from the history of Guru Kottureshwara. Legend has it that, when the Lingayath Dharma was leaning towards Vedic Sanathana style. To refine and to create awareness about Basavadi pranitha sharana Dhrma to people and to make them understand about shdsthala, Astavarana Lord Kottureswara spent his lifetime. That is why devotees call him as Astavarana Tatvopadeshi Guru. It is believed that he accompanied in his heart to all the people and solved the people's problems.
The Virasaiva religion brought into practice by Lord Basavanna in 12th century and lord Kottureswara was the continuity of same sharana parampare established by Basava and sharanas. Kottu or Kodu in Kannada means give and Eshwar means God (Kotu + Eshwara= Kottureshwara). No one knows about birth and childhood of Kottureswara, but he reached shikhapura at a young age. He travelled from North Kashmir to Kanyakumari. During the ruling of Akbar in Delhi, Lord Kottureswar appeared in the bedroom of Akbar's wife as Old saint and blessed her. Hearing the voice of the old man the door keeping soldier informed this to the king emperor Akbar. Akbar came in anger to the queen's bedroom and saw the mid aged person sleeping in the queen's bed. For Queen Kottureshwara appeared as saint and for Akbar saint appeared as an ordinary person. He attacked on Kottureshwar with Sword the sword became Flower Garland. Then Akbar realized his mistake and surrendered to Lord. Lord Kottureshwar blessed Akbar and Rajput queen that is akbar wife. Akbar presented Lord Kottureshwar with his Sword and the Cot on which lord Kottureshwara was sleeping. This Cot is located at Gachchina Mutt even now. He also declared as Sarsipura or Shikapura an independent territory which was under his ruling.
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Wikipedia