Omkareshwara Temple
The Omkareshwara Temple happens to be one of the age-old places of worship of Lord Shiva located in the Madikeri, Coorg. It is located in close vicinity to the fort in the heart of Madikeri Township. Linga Rajendra built the temple in the year 1820. The temple was built as his dedication to the Lord.
The Shivalinga in the temple was procured from Kashi Vanaras. The best part about the temple is its architecture. The temples symbolize a fusion of Gothic and Islamic design. It has a grand water tank inside the temple complex, which not only houses different types of freshwater fish but also entices tourists towards it.
This shrine is one of the most famous religious destinations in and around Coorg. It is not only famous as a place of worship but it also stands as a testimony to the tourism industry of Coorg. Every single year numerous tourists pay their visit to the temple. With time, this place has occupied a top position in the tourism landscape of Madikeri and Coorg.
History of Omkareshwara Temple
The Omkareshwara Temple was constructed by King Lingarajendra II in the 18th century. 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 fulfill his political ambitions. However, the king started to have nightmares for his cruel deed. 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. It is said that they stopped having the nightmares king after the temple was built. This Shivalingam is worshipped as Omkareshwara.
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 the Muslim dargah. The structure of the temple comprises 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 center. This mantapa is connected by a walkway. A large number of fishes can be seen playing in the water of the tank at any time. As such, the tank attracts the attention of the tourists and devotees who visit the temple.
