Śrī Male Mahadeśvara Temple, MM Hills
Seven hills, a tiger-riding siddha, and all-night jānapada song
⭐ Why it is famous
The hill shrine of the siddha Mahadeśvara, said to ride a tiger, sung through the night in the Mādeśvara kāvya by folk singers with the kaṁsāḷe cymbals. Amāvāsyā and Śivarātri bring lakhs on foot up the ghāṭ.
📜 Pilgrimage history
Mahadeśvara is remembered as a 15th-century siddha who settled among the seven hills and worked miracles for the forest people; the liṅga is treated as his living presence and the temple is run by a government authority.
🕰️ Temple timings
- Darśan 06:00 – 13:30 and 15:30 – 21:00
- Rātri pūjā about 20:30
🙏 Darśan details
- Free darśan and ₹100–₹300 special-entry tickets on festival days
- Free anna-dāna at the temple canteen
- The ghāṭ road has 20+ hairpins — avoid night driving through the forest
- Forest checkposts close after dark; plan to arrive by evening
🚉 Location & getting there
📍 Śrī Male Mahadeśvara Temple, MM Hills, Mahadeshwara Betta, ChamarajanagarKollegal (bus base) / Mysuru Junction (MYS) — 145 km
Mahadeshwara Betta bus stand — state transport buses stop here.
Kempegowda International, Bengaluru (BLR) — 250 km
KSRTC buses from Bengaluru (210 km), Mysuru and Kollegal (75 km) climb to the hill.
🪔 Poojas, sevās & tickets
This temple does not publish a rate list. Darśan is free; ārcanā, abhiṣeka and other sevās are booked at the counter inside the temple on the day.
🧭 Around the temple
Places to see besides the temple — tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Temple authority cottages and dormitories, ₹300–₹1,500
- Forest department rooms at Hanur; hotels in Kollegal
₹ Indicative trip cost (per head, 2 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₹1,800 | ₹3,800 | ₹8,000 |
🛕 Nearby temples
📌 Other attractions nearby
- MM Hills wildlife sanctuary
- Hogenakkal falls (55 km)
- Bharachukki falls
📅 Best time to visit
October–February; Śivarātri and every amāvāsyā are the great days