Hiriyur
Hiriyur is a town and a taluk headquarter located in Chitradurga district in the Indian state of Karnataka.
Hiriyur is situated along National Highway 48. Hiriyur is located 160 km north-west of Bengaluru. All the buses from Bengaluru going towards Hubballi, Belgavi, Davanagere, Ballari travel through Hiriyur.
The climate is generally dry with low rain fall. During winter, the night temperature may come down to 18 degrees C.
History
Hiriyur is famous as a centre for regional markets. The 'santhe' attracts people from all over the district.C N Malige is one of the villages of Hiriyur taluk and it is situated between Hulithotlu and Adiralu villages. Sub office to this village is Aimangala. The National Highway 4 which passes through Hiriyur has for decades created a cluster of business catering to the commuters.
Hiriyur is also famous for its 500+ years old temple of Shiva. Famously known as Teru Malleshvara Temple, Hiriyur it is also called as "Dakshina Kashi" by the devotees. It is believed that the famous devotee of Lord Shiva, "Hema Reddy Mallamma", was a resident of this town. Every year she travelled to Varanasi by foot. As she grew older and weaker, one day she prayed to her lord that "O lord I have become old and weak, unable to visit Varanasi and have your darshan, what do I do". On the night of that day Lord Shiva appeared in her dream and told her that she need not come to Varanasi to see him, he himself will come and reside in Hiriyur. As promised, Lord Shiva was believed to have incarnated in the "oraLukallu". That stone which was worshipped by Mallamma later became known as Terumalleshwara.
The ancient name of Hiriyur was "Ghanapuri". The "Yeppattu Kannina Setuve" located near Hiriyur is noted for its architecture. The patterns in the bridge resemble human eye, and there are seventy eyes.