Surrounded by the verdant land of the southern banks of the river Payaswini, the Sree Mahalingeswara temple is in Adoor, Kasaragod. Made in the 13th century, it is one of the more popular temples devoted to Shiva, worshipped in the form of Siva linga form. The temple, constructed in the 13th century, contains a Sanskrit inscription that is written in Kannada that is said to have been made by the Western Chalukya king, Kirthivarman II. 

The legend of the temple
Legend has it that this was the place where the god Shiva and Arjuna fought in the battle Kiratha Yudham, where Shiva disguised himself as a hunter, later blessing him with arrows. After the battle, Arjuna, a Pandava warrior prince of the epic Mahabharata, built this temple. The story of Kiratha Yudham is engraved on the valiya Bali kallu of the temple.

Artistic features
Architectural features of the temple that are sure to delight any visitor are the beautiful tiled roof, the corniced walls made of laterite, and the intricately carved wooden rafters. The temple has a unique three tiered structure, resembling a elephant's back. There are also many paintings of Ganesha and Ayappan, and the intricate wooden carvings on the roof depict scenes from Hindu mythology. 

The temple is a Mahakshetra, which means it is large and has the necessities – a namaskara mandapa, a tidappally, a valiya ambalam, agrasala, a temple pond, and a copper flag post.

Festivals
The festival of the temple is held yearly in the time of February or March. Makara Sankranti, a festival celebrating the yearly movement of the Sun, is celebrated with great pomp and splendor, as they believe that the Siva lingam was found here during the time of the festival. Along with the other ceremonies, both Sahsra Kumbha Abhishekam and the Anandam ceremony are held.

Worship and deities
The Nandi inside the temple is in a standing posture, and in the namaskara mandapa is the murti of Nandi. The other gods worshipped in the temple are Mahavishnu, Raktheswary, Ganapathy, Poomani, Kinimano, and Sastha.

Travellers are also recommended to visit the Vana Shasta Shrine, a shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, which is very close by to the temple and is just as green and enchanting.