The Omkareshwara Temple is an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated in the town of Madikeri in Coorg, Karnataka. The speciality of the temple is that its construction reflects a mix of Gothic and Islamic styles.
It is a popular religious destination of Coorg. The temple draws a large number of tourists and devotees regularly.
History of Omkareshwara Temple
The Omkareshwara Temple was constructed by King Lingarajendra II in the 18thcentury. Legend has it that the temple was built by the king as a form of penance.The story goes around that the king had killed a Brahmin to fulfil his political ambitions. However, the king started to have nightmares for his cruel deed.
In order to free himself from the nightmares, the King sought the advice of a few wise men. They asked the king to build a temple of Lord Shiva to regain his mental peace.
The king followed their advice and brought a Shivalingam from the holy town of Kashi and installed it at a newly constructed temple.
Architecture of Omkareshwara Temple
The Omkareshwara Temple displays a unique style of architecture. The temple has a design that is quite similar to the ones seen in Muslim dargah. The structure of the temple comprises of a large central dome with four minarets standing at the four corners.
The interesting thing to note is that the temple lacks a pillared hall as is common in most temples of India. The Shivalingam is installed near the entrance door. The history of the temple has been inscribed on a copper plate and fixed on the entrance door frame.
The Omkareshwara Temple is a large and simple structure with a peaceful ambiance. A water tank exists inside the temple premises. The tank has a mantapa built in the centre. This mantapa is connected by a walkway.
Events
Theppotsava Float Festival
In front of the Omkareshwara Temple, the Theppotsava Float Festival is performed in the pond. The processional deity is taken in boats around the highly illuminated tank. The lights reflected in the water and the heady smell of flowers and incense perfumes the air, adding warmth to a cold winter night in Karthika (November - December)Shivarathri
How to reach Omkareshwara Temple
The Omkareshwara Temple is situated within the town of Madikeri. The town is well connected to several other towns and cities of Karnataka. As such, reaching Madikeri is a simple matter.By Road
Madikeri is located near the Karnataka State Highway 88 that connects Mysore to Mangalore. This makes Madikeri a well-connected place by the road network.By Rail
Madikeri does not have a railway station of its own. The nearest rail stations are located at Hassan, Kasaragod, and Kannur (each of which approximately 115 km away from Madikeri).Mysore and Mangalore are at a distance of 140 km from Madikeri and can be good alternatives to reach Madikeri through the train route.
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