Devaragudda

Devaragudda (Kannada ದೆವರಗುಡ್ಡ) in Kannada means "the sacred hill belonging to the almighty". Devaragudda is situated at about 10 km from Ranebennur in Haveri district in Karnataka State ("ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ" ), India. The nearest railroad is at Ranebenneur. The nearest airport is at Hubli,about 113 km.

On top of Devaragudda is situated the temple of Lord Mailaralingeshwara. Mailaralingeshwara is also known as Malatesha (ಮಾಲತೆಶ್)in Karnataka State and Jyotiba / Khandoba in some parts of the neighboring state of Maharashtra. In Andhra Pradesh the same Deity is called Mallanna. This temple is operated and maintained privately by a family residing within the temple premises. Religious rituals are performed here on daily basis and special pujas are performed on Poornimas (Kannada ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ, a full moon day), Saturdays and Sundays. Within the temple premises one can also see a number of men with a peculiar clothing. They are called Gorappas. These Gorappas are typically dressed in black colored gowns made of sheep wool and with relegious symbols set on them. These men wear turbans on their heads and carry tridents and other religious mascots along with them. They are considered to be the messenger of the lord. Here one can occasionally see the devotees calling for the lord, "YELUKOTI, YELUKOTI, YELUKOTIGO..... CHANGAMALO CHANGAMALO", which means, "Oh, the great conqueror of seven forts, I have come to your shelter".

Devaragudda has a typical tropical weather ranging from 18 degrees Celsius during winters to 36 degrees in summer.