Like Kashi, in this temple of Karnataka, Holi is played with ashes for 5 days, not with colors, history is related to Kamadeva and Shiva.

The festival of Holi will be celebrated with great pomp across the country on Wednesday, March 4. While in North India, Holi is celebrated with the mythological story of Prahlad and Holika, in South India, Holi is associated with Lord Shiva and Kamadeva. In South India, Holi is a symbol of destruction of ego and seeing Lord Shiva and Kamadeva together on this day is considered auspicious. On the day of Holi, a huge crowd of devotees reach Ramalingeshwar Kamanna Temple in Karnataka. Holi festival is celebrated for 5 days in this temple and different rituals are performed every day. Like Kashi, here too there is a tradition of playing Holi with ashes. Let us know about Holi of this temple of Karnataka…

Lord Shiva and Kamadeva together in the sanctum sanctorum
Ramalingeshwar Kamanna Temple of Karnataka is quite different from other temples. This is the first temple in South India, where Lord Shiva and Kamadeva are present together in the sanctum sanctorum. It is believed that if Lord Shiva and Kamadeva are seen together on the day of Holi, then all sins are destroyed and ego is also destroyed. The idol of Kamadeva is installed along with Shivalinga in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and the idol is in a state of meditation.

Know about the mythological story related to the temple
According to mythology, the gods took the help of Kamadeva to lift Lord Shiva from long and rigorous penance. After the death of Goddess Sati, Lord Shiva left the world and became engrossed in rigorous penance. Seeing the deteriorating condition of the universe, Kamadeva shot his arrow at Mahadev. After the penance was broken, Kamadeva was turned into ashes due to the brilliance of Mahadev’s third eye. It is believed that Kamadeva was very proud of his powers, which is why Lord Shiva opened the third eye to break Kamadeva’s ego.

ashes are applied on the forehead
Due to this mythological story, even today, in Ramalingeshwar Kamanna Temple and other temples of Karnataka, ashes are applied on the forehead on the day of Holi. The ashes are believed to symbolize Kamadeva’s ego, reminding us of how ego comes to an end.

The event lasts for 5 days
Holi celebrations at Ramalingeshwar Kamanna Temple last for five days, and different rituals take place on different days. During these five days, silver objects are offered to Kamadeva and Lord Shiva, especially a silver cradle. It is believed that if a couple is not able to have a child, then if they offer a silver swing at the time of Holi, then their wishes will definitely be fulfilled.