Sri Mahalingeswara Temple is located on the National Highway to Mangalore in a place called Thumbe in Bantwala Taluk of South Kannada.  This is a newly built Temple and the authorities have erected a Welcome Arch on the Main Road so that the Temple is visible to passersby.  The Welcome Arch contains two Elephants on either side with a Shiva Lingam in the center. There is a tall and metallic Dwasjasthambam and a Bali Peedam outside the Main entrance.  Close to it are two pillars with a Yaali Image.  The threshold to the Temple consists of two wooden doors in which the Images of Lord Shiva has been nicely etched and engraved, posing a feast to the eyes of any Devotees entering beyond it.  The Presiding Deity here is Shree Mahalingeshwara Swami who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva is East facing and Blesses His Devotees from the Main Shrine. He is found in the Sanctum Sanctorum in the form of a Shiva LIngam.  The Sanctum Sanctorum is slightly elevated and built and it has to be reached climbing 4 or 5 steps. The anterior side of it has few designed pillars and a Nandhi Idol is placed facing the Sanctum Sanctorum. Though this Temple was Consecrated in February 2024 only this Shiva Lingam is believed to be more than 1200 years old.  The rear side of the Moolasthanam has been excellently designed in the shape of a Gajabrushtam. The entire area around the Sanctum Sanctorum has been built as an elevated structure with tiles flooring.  Any Divine rituals or functions could be conducted here with ease.  The Temple has an electric gong along with the conventional brass bells.  A Temple Kitchen is available to make Prasadams for the Devotees who happen to visit this Temple. Even the Vessels meant for cooking has been kept clean.  A wooden Palanquin is available for being used on festive days.  There is a Sacred Well and close to it is a Thulasi Maadam.  There are Sub Shrines for Venkatesa Perumal and Vinayagar.  On the outer peripheral of the Temple black Idols of Naga Devathas are kept beneath a huge Tree.  There is a Temple Office and Shri Harish is the Temple Manager.  The entire walls of the Temple have been built with granite stones and painted brown whereas the roofing is of a typical Mangalore style with a lot of wood work wherever possible.  A new shed is being erected just before the Main Temple so that functions etc could be conducted with ease.  The Temple has a modern Pushkarani or a Sacred Tank.  There is an entry point for this Pushkarani and Devotees may have to climb down 5 to 10 steps to have a holy dip. Maha Sivarathri, Arudra Dharisanam etc are likely to attract a huge number of Devotees.  Since this Temple is located on the Main Road it would naturally attract more number of Devotees who happen to pass this way.  This is not a Government Temple but it has been built by Shri Chandra Prakash Shetty who has taken all pains in building this Temple and bringging it to this level.

Contact Details: Chandra Prakash Shetty - 94492 59633, Abilash, Archargar - 97317 02564 and Harish, Temple Manager - 94803 13604

Temple Timing: 6.30 AM to 12.30 PM and 5.30 PM to 7 PM

Distance from Mangalore to Thumbe is 23 Kms

Distance from Kollur to Thumbe is 147 Kms

Distance from Dharmasthala to Thumbe is 53 Kms

Distance from Horanadu to Thumbe is 122 Kms

Distance from Sringeri to Thumbe is 107 Kms

Distance from Udupi to Thumbe is 74 Kms

Distance from Murudeshwar to Thumbe is 176 Kms

Distance from Kukke Subramanya to Thumbe is 84 Kms

Distance from Bangalore to Thumbe is  329 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Thumbe is 682 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Bantwal R.S

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