Mahalingeshwara Temple on the outskirts of Mysuru is a thousand years old, say experts

The discovery of an ancient inscription inside Mahalingeshwara Temple in Sardar Vallabhbhai Nagar on the outskirts of Mysuru has revealed that the temple is a thousand years old, according to experts.

“The local people believed that the temple was 200 to 300 years old. However, our research has revealed that this temple is a thousand years old,” said Professor N.M. Talwar, Project Director, Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada, Mysuru.

“The Ganga dynasty kings built temples based on the population density of the area. When we observe the construction style of this temple, we can comprehend the population that existed here thousands of years ago. The current researched inscriptions and temples shed light on the Ganga empire and this research is a significant endeavour,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dr Shashidhara C.A., Archaeological Researcher, Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada, said that the rulers of this dynasty contributed significantly to the fields of architecture and literature by commissioning the construction of many temples and inscriptions.

“Since the Ganga temples are very ancient, some have been destroyed over time due to ravages of history. Others have been completely renovated in the name of restoration, losing their original Ganga architectural style. Due to a lack of awareness among the locals, many such temples are mistakenly believed to have been constructed during the Chola period or under other dynasties,” he said.

“However, based on the inscription and the Shiva Linga found in the Mahalingeshwara Temple, it is evident that this temple was originally built during the Ganga period and is a thousand years old,” added Dr. Shashidhara before stating that this research had played a crucial role in preserving the legacy of the Ganga dynasty and ensuring that their contributions are not attributed to others.