Yedeyur or Yediyur

Yedeyur is a village in Kunigal, Tumkur district in Karnataka. It is an important center of pilgrimage for people of the Lingayat faith. The Samadhi or tomb of Siddalinga Shivayogi, a great Lingayat saint of the 15th century and a temple dedicated to him is located here.

Yediyur Siddhalingeshwara Swamy Temple is a very famous Hindu pilgrimage centre situated in Yedeyur Village. Though called as a temple, it contains Nirvikalpa Shivayoga Samadhi of Tontada Siddalinga. Tontada Siddalinga was a Great revered Veerashaiva Saint who flourished during the end of 15th century. The temple holds annual festivals during Maha Shivaratri and Ugadi.

On the 7th Day of the commencement of the Hindu calendar (Ugadi), Jathra is performed to mark the attaining of the Samadhi of Sri Siddhalingeshwara. Every year on Maha Shivarathri, Sahasra Rudrabhisheka is performed. The Sahasra Kamala Pooja, Laksha Bilvarchana pooja is performed in the month of Shravana and Kumbhabhisheka is performed on each new moon day. During the annnual festival of deepavali Laskha deepotsava is performed by illuminating the temple with oil lamps as per hindu tradition.

The temple has a large wooden Chariot (usually refered to as Ratha). Six stone wheels, which contain erotical figure and cannot be found even in Konark Sun temple. The car festival is held on the 7th lunar day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra Masa (March-April).



About Sri Siddhalingeshwara Swamy
Sri Siddhalingeshwara Swamy a great revered Veerashaiva Saint is considered as an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He travelled far and wide preaching Veerashaiva faith (Shaivism).

He performed 12 years of penance at a garden and hence came to be known as Thontada Siddalingeshwara Swamy. He headed the Murugi muth and had a large following of disciples; some of who wrote on Veerashaiva faith and philosophy. Hence Yedeyuru is deemed to be a seat of awakened spiritual consciousness.

He has written Shathsthala Jnana Saramrutha, containing 701 Vachanas (Poems) which are directing Sthalas (route) to Attain Ikya i.e. involvement to light.

He traveled far and wide, preached eternal truth and performed many miracles for scores of people irrespective of their caste or creed. His life and values held by him demonstrated the divine powers attained by him to heal the sick and suffering.

He is regarded as one of the greatest Lingayat Saints of the Veerashaiva Sect in the Hindu religion.

The Gadag Shri Tontada Siddalinga Mahaswamiji is the peetadhipati of this yediyur mutt.