Kaitabeshwara Temple, Kubatur, Karnataka

Raghavan

The Kaitabheshvara temple (also spelt Kaitabhesvara or Kaitabheshwara, known also as Kotisvara) is located in the town of Kubatur (also spelt Kubattur or Kuppattur, and called Kuntalanagara or Kotipura in ancient inscriptions), near Anavatti in the Shimoga district of Karnataka state, India. The temple was constructed during the reign of Hoysala King Vinayaditya around 1100 AD. The Hoysala ruling family was during this time a powerful feudatory of the imperial Western Chalukya Empire ruled by King Vikramaditya VI. According to the Archaeological Survey of India, the architectural signature of the temple is mainly "Chalukyan". Art historian Adam Hardy classifies the style involved in the construction of the temple as "Later Chalukya, non mainstream, far end of spectrum". The building material used is soapstone. The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Kaitabheshvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kubatur Village Anavatti in Soraba Taluk in Shimoga District in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is situated on the outskirts of Kubatur village, in a place popularly known as Kotipura. The temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History:

The temple was constructed during the reign of Hoysala King Vinayaditya around 1100 CE. The Hoysalas was a powerful feudatory of the Western Chalukya Empire ruled by King Vikramaditya VI. The temple received extensive patronage from the Chalukyas, Seunas and Hoysalas. Lord Shiva of this temple was called as Kotishvara / Kotinatha as per the inscriptions in the temple. Kubatur was called as Kuppattur, Kuntala Nagara and Kotipura in the inscriptions. Kubatur was an important center of the also established itself as an important center of the Kalamukha sect during 11th century CE. The Kalamukha priest of the temple, Rudra Shakthi Deva was appointed as the Raja Guru by the Seuna king Simhana II as evident from his inscriptions.

Connectivity:

The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Anavatti, 4 Kms from Anavatti Bus Stand, 26 Kms from Hangal, 28 Kms from Shiralakoppa, 29 Kms from Soraba, 47 Kms from Haveri, 48 Kms from Haveri Railway Station, 99 Kms from Shimoga, 114 Kms from Hubballi Airport and 367 Kms from Bengaluru. The temple is situated at about 2 Kms from Anavatti on Anavatti to Hangal route. KSRTC buses and also several private buses are available regularly from Bangalore to Hangal. Buses are available from Hangal to Anavatti. Kubatur is well connected to Anavatti by Auto and other local means of transport.

A kindness act of Maharana Pratap:

Abdul Rahim was born in Delhi, the son of Bairam Khan, Akbar's trusted guardian and mentor, who was of Turkic ancestry. Rahim was a commander of Akbar's army. He was sent by Akbar to capture Maharana, abduct womens and destroy temples.

Before Rahim could reach his destination, Maharana's eldest son Amar Singh found an opportunity and captured Rahim's contingent and their women.

Maharanapratap seeing this became angry and ordered Amar Singh to set the women free and return them back to their camp with respect.

When Rahim heard of this, his entire attitude towards his enemy changed. He had a genuine change of heart. He praised Maharana and Mewar. He also began exploring Hinduism and India. He began writing poems in praise of Krishna. He became more Hindu than Muslim. All the Rahim's Dohas were penned by him.

This is the impact of the Maharana. How an act of kindness could change the heart of an enemy is well illustrated by this episode.