History of Male Mahadeshwara Hills

Male Mahadeshwara Hill is a pilgrim town situated in the Hanur taluk of the Chamarajanagar district in southern Karnataka. The ancient and sacred temple at Male Mahadeshwara Hill stands as a revered spiritual centre, believed to be the place where Mahadeshwara lived. Renowned as a Siddha practitioner, he is said to have practiced medicine and imparted the principles of ahimsa to communities across the surrounding seven hills. Today, the shrine attracts lakhs of devotees each year from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, reaffirming its enduring religious and cultural significance.

Junje Gowda is remembered as the legendary builder of the Male Mahadeshwara Temple in the Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district. A local landlord from the Kuruba community, he was a devoted follower of Shri Mahadeshwara Swamy. Lord Sri Mahadeshwara is widely believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Historical evidence suggests that Saint Mahadeshwara lived during the 15th century. Nearly 600 years ago, he is said to have arrived at this sacred site to undertake penance, and tradition holds that he continues this penance within the temple’s Garbha Gudi in the form of a Linga. The Linga worshipped in the sanctum today is regarded as swayambhu, or self-manifested, further enhancing the temple’s spiritual significance.

The Male Mahadeshwara Hills are situated in the northeastern section of a detached extension of the Western Ghats, projecting northeastward along the southern edge of the Deccan Plateau. Along with the Biligiriranga Hills, this range forms a significant geological link between the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats. The region is separated from the Nilgiri Hills by the Moyar River.

The Male Mahadeshwara Hills are bounded by the Kaveri River to the north and east, while the Palar River, a tributary of the Kaveri, flows along the southern boundary. The confluence of these two rivers lies at the southeastern corner of the Male Mahadeshwara forest, with the Stanley Reservoir located further downstream.

The hills have an average elevation of approximately 3,000 feet (910 metres). The highest peak in the range is Ponnachi Betta, which rises to an elevation of 1,514 metres (4,967 feet) above sea level.

Beyond its significance as a pilgrimage centre, the Male Mahadeshwara Hills encompass vast stretches of forestland rich in sandalwood and bamboo. The landscape of the hills and valleys is blanketed by diverse forest types, ranging from evergreen forests in the Ponnachi region to predominantly dry deciduous forests across much of the area. These forests support a wide variety of wildlife, including numerous species of animals, birds, and reptiles, many of which are found in significant numbers. Among them, elephants stand out as the most prominent and iconic inhabitants of the region.

According to legend, Male Mahadeshwara was born to Chandrashekara Murthy and Uththarajamma in the Madiga community. He is believed to have visited the home of Junje Gowda, a wealthy landlord of the Kuruba Gowda caste and a devotee of the deity Beredevara. During his stay, Mahadeshwara is said to have performed several miracles to demonstrate his divine power, ultimately winning Junje Gowda’s devotion and allegiance.

Junje Gowda is traditionally credited with the construction of numerous temples across the mountainous region of eastern Karnataka known as the Mahadeshwara Hills. Even today, the descendants of the Junje Gowda family are believed to reside in the village of Kadamboor in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district, preserving a living link to this sacred history.

Lord Male Mahadeshwara, after whom the hills are named, is believed to have been born during the Kali Yuga. In his early years, he is said to have received spiritual guidance from the pontiffs of Suttur Mutt and Kunthur Mutt. Tradition holds that the young saint journeyed from Srishaila to this region of the state, where he performed several miracles during his lifetime. He later withdrew to the hillside region now known as the Male Mahadeshwara Hills.

At the time, the Male Mahadeshwara Hills were a dense forest landscape, encircled by seventy-seven hills arranged in seven concentric circles, making it unsafe for human habitation. Nearly six centuries ago, the young saint is believed to have entered this forested area to rescue sages who were engaged in penance and had been captured by an evil king named Shravana, who was reputed to possess formidable black magic powers. The region was also inhabited by scattered tribal communities living in isolation, untouched by the influences of organized human civilization.

Legend recounts that Lord Sri Mahadeshwara destroyed Shravana’s black magic and freed the imprisoned saints. The site where the sages were held captive is revered today as Thavasere, while the place associated with Shravana’s residence is known as Shravana Boli, both regarded as sacred landmarks within the Mahadeshwara Hills.

According to Puranas, the seven peaks of Male Mahadeshwara Hills surrounding Male Mahadeshwara Temple, are identified as Anumale, Jenumale, Kanumale, Kadumale, Pachchemale, Pavalamale, and Ponnachimale. Together, these seven peaks form the sacred Male Mahadeshwara Betta. It is believed that Saint Lord Mahadeshwara established a Mutt at this site to oversee the religious and cultural affairs of the people in the region.

Legend further holds that through his miracles, Lord Mahadeshwara enlightened and uplifted the hill tribes, accepting them as his disciples. Descendants of these families continue to serve as hereditary Archakas of the Mahadeshwara Temple. Historically, the temple remained under the control and management of Sri Salur Mutt, which was established by Lord Mahadeshwara himself, until it was transferred to the Madras Government in 1953. Following the formation of the state of Karnataka, the administration of the temple has been managed by a trust committee appointed by the Karnataka Government under the Muzrai Department.