Sri Tuluveshwara Temple is located at Basrur 9 kilometres from Kundapura in Udupi district-Karnataka. This town was previously known as Vasupura, since Emperor Vasu governed this region.
The temple is about 1000 years old and lacks any stone wall or shelter. It is said that a banyan tree has been providing shelter to the Shiva lingam for the last 250 years. This God, known as the original God of Tulunad, is mighty and claims to grant the wishes of followers.
This Tuluveshwara is surrounded by rich vegetation and is shielded by a 250-year-old banyan tree from rain, wind, and sun coming from all four directions. This deity’s womb temple is located amidst the surrounding banyan trees. Only one person can pass through the tree and into the Garbha Gudi. An idol of Nandi made out of stone is directly in front of it. Even if there is a large banyan tree nearby, it might be argued that it is a miracle of God that Lingam remains unharmed.
A 2 1/2-foot-long lingam with a statue of Nandi in front of it may be found in the sanctum sanctorum. The only thing visible from the sanctum sanctorum is Nandi’s head. Even though this lingam has been idolised for thousands of years, it is still stunning. About 60 years ago, an attempt was made to separate this Nandi statue from its pedestal using an iron rod, out of greed for treasure, but it was unsuccessful. Since then, one part of the Nandi has been leaning and raised, which is still visible today.
Around 150 years ago, a man named Vitthala Kini purchased the land where this Shiva Linga is located. At the time of purchasing the land, he was not aware of the presence of the Shiva Linga. However, as soon as he realized the divine power of Shiva, Vitthala Kini began performing daily worship to this deity, and from that time until today, the Kini family has been performing daily and regular worship of Tuluveshwara (Shiva).
The family currently performing the worship has a desire to restore this ancient shrine of Shiva. However, after consulting several sources and seeking advice, it has been revealed that the time for the temple’s restoration has not yet come, and a yogi has foretold that the temple will be redeveloped in the future.
Even though this temple has been in the middle of the environment for centuries, it is special here that it has been protecting the devotees and believers. There is no other shrine dedicated to ‘Tuluveshwara’ anywhere else in the Tulu region. Therefore, the local people say that this Shiva is the presiding deity of the Tulu-speaking region, extending from Kasaragod to Baindur in Udupi district.
