Vol.18 No. 1 January - 2017 WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS - 2017 PULIGERE UTSAV 2016 The elliptical Linga, the With the recent excavation and restoration of the 2,000-year- abstract symbol of Shiva, from old Someshwara temple at which it derives its nomenclature, Lakshmeshwara in Gadag District, Shivalinga, is the most common one of the rarest aspects of Shiva representation of Ishwara in has been unearthed anywhere in Hindu temples. the country.
[email protected] 1 Ancient Indian thought holds Ardhanaeeshwara principle that when un-manifest energy itself. Such is the uniqueness begins to manifest itself, the first of the deity. form is always the Linga. Not only Excavated and brought to has this symbolism been given a form by the Archaeologcial go-by in the entire Someshwara Survey of India through the temple complex, the very largesse of Infosys Foundation, representation of the main deity, the temple found itself as a host Shiva, is in the form of an image, for a cultural event in March last. which is uncommon in itself. The second edition of Although inscriptions say Puligere Utsav will be held at the deity is “Swamyambhu the Sri Somehwara temple, Someswhewara”, which is Lakshmeshwara, Gadag District, identified with the Shivalinga, from January 6, once again the main deity here has Shiva bringing some of the finest sitting on the Nandi, along with artistes to a regional stage Parvathi, his consort. with national status. The only temple in Karnataka Bigger and better than last to have such an image of Shiva, time, the Utsav will feature over intertwined with Nandi, with 130 artistes, most of them drawn Parvathi astride behind him, could from the North Karnataka area, be construed as representative of the Shiva-Shakti to ensure regional participation.