Author: Meghana Mathur, Times News
Network
Publication: The Times of India
- Internet Edition
Date: October 16, 2001
URL: http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_ID=129602326
Malleswaram boasts of many temples,
but none is so shrouded in controversy and mystery as this one is. The
ancient Nandeeshwara temple at Malleswaram 17th cross was discovered only
three years ago, but it has stood for 7,000 years on that spot. Being buried
over the years hasn't diminished its aura at all. It still draws huge crowds
all day.
According to residents living nearby,
the temple was completely buried and the land above it was a flat stretch.
"Three years ago, a politician tried to sell this plot. But people objected
on the grounds that the land should first be dug through to see if they
could find something," says the priest, Ravi Shankar Bhatt. And so when
they started digging up the land, they found buried underneath, this temple.
It was in perfect condition, preserved by the thick layers of soil.
This underground temple was enclosed
within a stone cut courtyard supported by ancient stone pillars. At the
far end of the courtyard, a Nandi was carved out of a black stone with
eyes painted in gold. From its mouth a clear stream of water flowed
directly on to a Shivalinga made out of the same black stone at a lower
level. There were steps that led to a small pool in the centre of the courtyard
where the water flowed and collected. The pool's centre had a 15 feet deep
whirlpool.
Everything remains the same today.
Nobody knows where the water comes from and how it passes from the mouth
of the Nandi idol on to the shivalinga. Nobody knows how the whirlpool
came into being. The source of water, the sculptor, even the time when
it was built remains a mystery.
"There has been no scientific explanation
for the source of water till date," says resident Shivalingaiah. "Some
say it was built by Shivaji Maharaj. Some say it's older. But of one thing
we were sure, the temple has remained untouched over the years. We found
it exactly as it might have been before it was covered by soil," he adds.
On Shivaratri day, overwhelming
crowds gather at this temple. Some perform the `milk puja'. Others just
come to marvel at a temple no one has any explanation for. The water source
has been estimated by some to be the Sankey tank. This, because it happens
to be directly in the line of, and at a higher level from the Nandeeshwara
temple. But this hypothesis hasn't been proved yet.
This Malleswaram temple falls under
the constituency of MLA Sitaram. Speaking of the controversy surrounding
this temple, he says, "There was a court case initially. But since it was
an ancient temple of great heritage and religious value, it was preserved
and taken over by the state government."
Today, Sitaram says improvements
have been made to the structure. "Since it was so ancient, the walls had
some kind of leakage and started rotting after a while. The leaks were
filled up and the walls were whitewashed. But no one has really tampered
with the original structure," he adds.
A Malleswaram committee has been
specifically created to look after the temple. Committee president C Chandrashekhar
functions along with a 11-member committee. "We are slowly introducing
improvements in the temple to keep it in good shape. A lot of people come
even from other parts of Bangalore," he says. The committee's next step
is to build a gopuram in the temple premises. "But funds are a problem,"
adds Sitaram. "Every year the cost of maintaining the temple increases.
I just wish the government would do something about this."