Lord Shiva performed penance here, during which he devoured two demon brothers — Chuncha and Kancha — who were pestering people in the nearby villages for a long time. 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.
Lord 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.
Goddess Parvati resides here in the form of Stambambike or Kambadamma.
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