Military Mahadeva Temple

The Military Mahadeva Temple is a Shiva shrine in the cantonment of Belagavi, built with the backing of the army. Its foundation stone was laid on 18 January 1954, and Lieutenant General S. M. Shrinagesh, then heading Southern Command, opened it on 24 January 1955.

The building is carved in the manner of South Indian temples. In the sanctum a black lingam sits under a seven-hooded serpent, with a Nandi on either side. A fountain with a figure of Krishna stands at the entrance, and the grounds include landscaped gardens, a small zoo and a play area for children, which make it a popular family outing. Mahashivratri is the main festival, when devotees perform the Samuhik Panchamrit, offering milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar to the lingam.