About 1km from Puttur City, 12th-century temple. The temple is protected by a 1961 act which created to safeguard historical sites in the state. The temple is currently maintained and conserved by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, under the Mysore division of the Government of Karnataka. The Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple is dedicated to an incarnation of Lord Shiva known as Lord Mahalingeshwara. On the western side of the temple is a pond. People believe that in ancient times, pearls were found in this pond. The pond has stone steps which can lead one to the water. The word Muttu in Kannada means pearl. This brought the name Muttur which later became Puttur. One of the main festivals in the Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple is that of Rathotsava or the Chariot Festival, held in the month of April. The blessings from Lord Shiva and the calm, peaceful and bliss from this place makes this a must visit with friends and family
