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The name Markandeshwar is connected with Maharishi Markandeya, a great devotee of Shiva. Kallur is a small village, about 13 km from Raichur. It is surrounded on all sides by granite hills. The place derives its name from the boulders which are seen in abundance in the hills. Markandeshwara Temple, noted for its beautifully carved pillars, is the prominent attraction here. The village and the hills are full of antiquities.

Kallur is on of the Village in Manvi Taluk , Raichur District , Karnataka State . Kallur is 23.59 km far from its Taluk Main Town Manvi . Kallur is located 16.57 km distance from its District Main City Raichur . It is located 355 km distance from its State Main City. Bangalore .

This river derives its name from Maharishi Markandeya as well and even the several ancient ashramas of Rishi Markandeya can be seen along the banks of the river in the neighboring districts.

Markandeya seems to be the exemplary son, who was destined to die at the age of 16. He grew up to be a great devotee of Shiva and on the day of his destined death he was continuing his worship of Shiva in His form of Shivalingam. The messengers of Yama, the God of death were unable to take away his life because of his great devotion and continual worship of Shiva. Finally, Yama came himself to take Markandeya's life away and sprung his noose around the young sage's neck. By mistake, the noose landed around the Shivalingam and out of it, Shiva emerged in all his fury attacking Yama for his act of aggression. After defeating Yama in battle to the point of death, Shiva then revived him, under the condition that the young Markandeya would live forever. Thus, the Maha Mrityunjaya Stotra is been attributed to Maharishi Markandeya

The Markandeshwar Mahadev temple is been supposed to be the place where the young Markandeya was praying to Shiva in order to win over his destiny. This is where Shiva fought with Yama and blessed Maharishi Markandeya with the boon of immortality. The original temple here is dated back to pre-Mahabharat times and was founded in the third millennium B.C. The current structure is more recent and dates back to the early 20th century.


Markandeya is one among the Pancha Pandavas. God saved Markandeya from a severe danger from sea. The place where God saved Markanda is known as Markandeya and this holy place on that particular spot Markandeya remained on meditation for a long time. At this place a Shiva Temple was constructed by sage Markandeya.

The ancient Markandeswar Shiva Temple is located in the Markandeswar street by the side of the Markandeswar tank, to the north of the Jagannath temple. This place can be approached on the right side of Markandeswar road leading from Markandeswar chowk to Prui-Brahmagiri road. The exact geographical location of this temple is LONGITUDE 85049'94"E and LATITUDE 19048'62"N.

Markandeswar temple is also been named as the Markandesvara Temple, Markandeya Shiva Temple and Markandeswara Mahadeva Temple. This famous temple is facing towards east and the presiding deity is a Sivalinga. It is connected with the rituals of Chandan yatra, Balabhadra Janma, Ashram Bije, Sital Sasthi, Kaliyadalan etc. of the Jaganath temple. Festivals like Janmashtami, Risi Panchami, Rakhi Purnima, Sivaratri, Sankranti, Narasimha Chaturdasi, etc. are also observed with great devotion at this temple. This place is one of the Pancha Tirthas of Puri and also one of the fifty two sacred Shiva places of the country.

Markandeya tank is an open structure and it enclosed within a stone wall made of dressed laterite blocks. The tank is rectangular is shape and 8.50 meters below the present road level. Its sides measure 350 feet on the northern side, 508 feet on the eastern side, 385 feet on the southern side and 542 feet on the western side. Bathing ghats are provided for the tourists in southern side of the tank. The tank is presently used for rituals as well as for normal bathing. Rituals like Pinda Dana, Mundan Kriya, etc. are observed on the steps of the tank. The tank is fed by a natural spring from under ground. The excess and waste water is discharged through an outlet channel in the north eastern wall. As a result the water level of the tank remains constant throughout the year.

Previously at the northern side of the tank there were seven stone images, each four feet high, kept over a platform representing the Sapta Matrukas or seven sacred mothers. These Seven Mothers are also accompanied by images of Lord Ganesha and Lord Virabhadra.

Markandeshwar Temple is very old place and natural beauty to visit It is a good tourist spot in district of Gadchiroli. Markandeshwar Temple is popularly known as Kashi of Vidarbha. On every Mahashivratri festival Markandeshwar Temple organizes the big fair.

Few ancient stone inscriptions found on the steps to the tank and the Markandeshwar Temple, are of great interest to historians. These stone inscriptions pertain to the Ganga dynasty. Both Markandeswar temple and Markandeswar tank can be dated back to the 12th century AD. Puri became an important center of pilgrimage by the 12th century. The history in Puri also proves that Sri Ramanuja visited Puri during 1107 and 1117. Sri Ramanuja was followed by Vishnu Swami, who is known to establish the Vishnuswami Matha, near Markandeshwar Tank.

The complete Charmoshi taluka gets involved and we listen every where "Har Bolo Har Har Mahadev". On every Mahashivratri festival more than 5 lakh Shivbhaka visit Markandeshwar Temple. Trust of temple with local government body make all facilities available to tourist.

Nearby tourist places to Markandeshwara Temple Bangalore Mysore Gurgaon

Bangalore is the city which can be reached easily by the major cities through airways, railways & roadways.
Raichur is an administrative district of Karnataka which has its head quarter at the same town of Raichur.
The district is bounded by the Krishna River on the north and the Tungabhadra River on the south. There is local transport available through Bangalore railways station which is being facilitated by local facilities.