Kurudumale Ganesha Temple – Mulbagal

Kurudumale is a sacred place located in Mulbagal in the Kolar district of Karnataka. The temple is at a distance of just 10 kilometres from Mulbagal town. Kurudumale is famous for the Ganesha Temple that has attracted devotees from near and far for years.

History
The temple of this Kurudumale Ganesha is believed to be around 650 years old. The idol of Ganasha is believed to have seen all four Yugas. There was no temple built for this Ganesha, which was in the forest at the foothills of the mountain. In the Kaliyuga, a few hundred years ago people saw that this idol which was very different. When it used to rain it would not fall on the Ganesha idol and when it was sunny it would not fall on the idol, when people noticed such miracles they felt that this idol had some special powers as it would have been worshipped by Gods and godesses. People and sages who noticed this went to King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar empire and reported about this wonder. Later Sri Krishnadevaraya visited this place and after seeing this idol, ordered that homa and abhishekha to be done with Shaivagama paddathi ( procedure). Later a temple was constructed to this Lord Ganesha. The temple looks very simple with no carved pillars and gopura (tower) or Kalasha or even a Dwajasthamba (flag mast).

Mythology
The idol of Lord Ganesha is around 12 feet in height and around 6-7 feet wide made of Saligrama stone. It is believed that this idol of Ganesha was installed by the trinity themselves, the Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The coming together of these three super powers along with Devas and Devathas at this place was reffered to as ‘Koodu-male’ or Kootadri (koodu/ koota- together, Male-Mountain, adri-mountain). As time passed the word Koodumale was mispronounced by the locals as Kurudumale. In Krita (Sathya) yuga, it is believed Lord Shiva had worshipped Lord Ganesha before exorcising (Samhara- Kannada) demon Tripurasura. Later in Tretha уuga when Sita Devi was abducted by Ravana, it is believed Rama and Lakshmana had worshipped Lord Ganesha here before going to Lanka to kill Ravana. In Dwapara yuga when Krishna was accused of stealing the Shamantaka mani, he is believed to have come to this place and worshipped Lord Ganesha to ward off the blemish and disgrace on his character. It is also believed that the Pandavas had visited this place before the Mahabharatha war.

Beliefs and Rituals of temple
It is believed those who are suffering with Ketu dosha will be ward off by the malefic effects if they visit this temple. People after getting their wishes fulfilled give for Benne alankara seva (Butter applied on the idol). Also those suffering with Sarpa dosha visit this temple and offer prayers to Lord Subramanya which is there in the temple premises (prakara). There is an idol of Mooshaka (Mouse) of lord Ganesha which is also given equal importance. Those who will have seen the moon on Ganesha Chaturthi will come here to ward-off the ill effects.