Sri Kote Kallappana Betta Temple is situated in Chickegowdanaroppa village near Madhugiri in Tumkur district, Karnataka.
The main deity worshipped here is Lord Vishnu in the form of Udbhava Murthy (self-manifested idol) enshrined inside a cave. Along with him are idols of Goddess Sridevi, Bhudevi, and the divine gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya.
The temple and the fort structures on the hill are believed to date back to the Chola dynasty, making them nearly 1000 years old.
Built using simple yet strong stone architecture, the shrine stands within a natural cave formation. The presence of old stone walls and fort remains around the hill indicates its historical importance.
According to the local legend, a devout lady who was a sincere devotee of Lord Vishnu prayed earnestly for a child. After several months of deep devotion and fasting, her prayers were answered, and she was blessed with a baby boy.
After the birth of her child, she longed to visit Tirumala to offer her gratitude and have the darshan of Lord Venkateshwara. However, due to various reasons, she could not undertake the long pilgrimage. With unshaken faith, she prayed earnestly from her home, asking the Lord to bless her with his divine darshan.
Pleased by her devotion, Lord Tirupati Timmappa sent his Sudarshana Chakra in the form of a brilliant divine light that descended upon this very hill. The light guided the lady to a sacred cave where Lord Vishnu revealed that he resided there as a self-manifested (Udbhava) form. When she entered the cave, she witnessed Lord Shesha Naga encircling and protecting the sanctum. In that moment, Lord Shesha transformed himself into the very rock of the cave, permanently enshrining the divine presence of Lord Vishnu within it.
It is also believed that the Vaikunta Dwarapalakas — Jaya and Vijaya — stand guard over this sacred temple, protecting the divine energy of the hill and its devotees.
Thus, this hill temple came to be revered as Sri Kote Kallappana Betta, a powerful and mystical abode of Lord Vishnu.
Special poojas and annual celebrations are held for Lord Vishnu, particularly during Vaikunta Ekadashi and Vishnu Jayanthi.
Devotees from nearby towns and villages climb the hill for darshan and to receive blessings. The peaceful surroundings, combined with devotional chants, make the experience spiritually uplifting.
