Folk legends say that Shiva performed penance here, during which he devoured two demon brothers - Chuncha and Kancha. Thereafter, the place came to be known as Adichunchanagiri and Chunchanakote.

At the end of his austerity, Lord Shiva entrusted a Siddhayogi, establishing a Natha tradition. Shiva also assured him that he would reside at Adichunchanagiri in the form of Panchalingas — Lord Gangadhareshwara, Chandramouleshwara, Malleshwara, Siddeshwara and Someshwara — of which Lord Gangadhareshwara is known as the presiding deity and Chandramouleshwara is known as ‘Atmartha Devatha’. The place thus, came to be known as ‘Panchalinga Kshetra’. Sri Kalabhairaveshwara, the manifestation of Lord Shiva, is the protecting deity of the Kshetra. 

While the temple is in the Dravidian style of architecture, the Vimana Gopura is in the style of the Cholas. Sri Kalabhairaveshwara, the manifestation of Shiva, is the protecting deity of the Mata Parvati which resides here in the form of Stambambike or Kambadamma. The place where Shiva sat and did penance is known as 'Jwala Peetha' or 'Agni Peetha'. Lord Kalabhairaveshwara is worshipped at Adichunchanagiri Math.

The temple has four massive towers. The main tower is also the temple's main entrance and is 100 meters in height, the other three towers are 57 feet high. The temple has four beautifully sculpted gopuras. The uniqueness of the temple is that it is entirely built of stone. Doors, pillars, ceiling, everything at the temple is in stone. There are about eight 11-feet-tall statues of Bhairava, a 10-feet tall statue of Ganesh, and 11-feet tall statues of Shiva Tandava and Subrahmanya at the temple. In all, there are about 64 different varieties of Bhairava statues measuring 4.5-feet in height. The place's main attraction is the 23-feet tall statue of Nagalingeshwara carved out of a huge white rock. Multiple layers of this temple complex express the strength of the mind, willpower, and indomitable spirit of His Holiness.

Utsav: Shivram, Navratri, Kartik Purnima

Best time to visit: All year round.

Interesting facts: This magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Kalabhairaveshwara (Adichunchanagiri) was constructed at a cost of Rs 85 crore by Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji. Normally, every Shiva temple will have a statue of Nandi, but in the temple of Lord Kalabhairaveshwar, there is a statue of a dog, considered to be his vehicle when he is in this form. People who do not have children and who are not married come to the temple to offer puja to Kambadamma. They believe that the wishes of devotees are fulfilled after praying here.

Places nearby: Peacock Sanctuary, ISKCON Temple, Bangalore Palace, Lalbagh Botanical Gardens