Sri Dakshinamukha Nandi Tirtha Kalyani Kshetra
1. General Info. As the name suggests, this temple has idols of Nandi and Shiva facing south. Such south facing idols are a rarity and therefore the Shiva here is also called as 'Dakshinamurthy'. This temple is co-located with two famous temples - Sri Gangamma Devi Temple & Sri Kadu Mallikarjun Swamy Temple.
2. Special Architecture. The idol of Nandi is situated on a platform above the Shivalinga and there is a continuous flow of water from Nandi's mouth onto the Shivalinga. The source of water from Nandi's mouth is unknown and it falls directly on the Shivalinga. All the Vastu principles for building Hindu temples has been followed. Carvings of snake, tortoise and fish can be seen on the steps of the Kalyani.
3. Faith. The water is said to possess medicinal properties. Several devotees have reportedly been benefitted from consuming this water as teertha.
4. History of the Temple. The temple is over 400 year old. The whole temple was submerged under the soil and only the upper part of the Nandi's head was visible. In 1997, the residents of Malleshwaram, helped in saving the temple plot from those with real estate interests and excavated the land. To their surprise, they discovered an elaborately built temple tank with idols of Shivalinga & Nandi, & with fish and turtles in the submerged tank!!! When the mouth of the bull was cleaned, a stream of water stared pouring out uninterruptedly.
5. Poojas & Festivals.
Special Poojas and festivals are observed, namely Dakshinamurthy Pooja, Pradosha Kaala Pooja, Kartika Maasa Pooja, Maasa Shivaratri, Mahashivaratri, Special Poojas on Monday and Sankranti Special Poojas. During Dakshinamurthy Pooja, a sacred thread called 'Dakshina Murthy' thread is tied to devotee's wrists. This thread is believed to bestow Guru Bala, meaning own Guru's help in overcoming hurdles in life. During Kartika Maasa, the steps in front of the deities are lit with oil lamps and devotees witness the divine form of Shiva and Nandi in the oil lamps' light, without any electricity.
6. Apart from the main deity, a small Ganapati idol & Navagraha idols are also in the temple.
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