Omkareshwara Temple

Omkareshwara Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu temples at Coorg, more conveniently known as Kodagu. It lies in the southern state of Karnataka, India. This ancient Hindu temple worships Lord Shiva, one of the most important religious spots in the place. This temple in the small town of Madikeri is not only a point of religion but also an architectural building of historical and mythological importance. Thousands of devotees and tourists visit to worship Lord Shiva and see its unique structure and heritage. Omkareshwara temple in Karnataka was built during the 18th century by King Linga Raja of Kodagu. The history and folklore abound in the formation history of this religious establishment. One can relate to folklore talking about its name. It is believed that King Linga Raja then sought Shiva's blessings in the wake of the adverse situation.

After undergoing rigid penance and prayer, he was found by the king himself in the shape of a lingam. He also bestowed the divine benedictions upon the king. He resolved to build a temple in the city of Madikeri, Madikeri , as an offering for the divine mercy of Lord Shiva on that day in memory of Omkareshwara , which is  one  avatar of Lord Shiva. It is a word formed from two words: "Om," the original sound of creation in Hinduism and "Kareshwara", means the Lord of the world. It stands unique, for this is one of the very few temples in the area where Lord Shiva takes on a form, in this case as a lingam, hence eternally and formless. This architecture belongs to the style that reflects rich cultural amalgamation: the result of the fusion of elements of Hindu, Islamic, and Christian influence. The main attraction to Omkareshwara Temple is its unique architecture. It is traditionally built in South Indian style through the influence of Islamic architecture, which Is represented in its domes and arches. The Central Shiva Lingam, therefore, forms the centre as it is the deity being worshipped.

The temple complex itself has a big open court where visitors can come to offer prayers and pradakshina in front of the main sanctum. Worth mentioning the architecture of the temple is due to its usage of granite stone that , gave it the look of an ancient yet robust structure. All along the walls, deities, mythological creatures, and several motifs were  carved  to reflect the historical and religious importance of the temple itself. Its speciality style in the dome of construction is Persian, taking together a traditional South Indian style of temple design as well as some influence drawn from Islamic architecture- the imprint of a multicultural reign on one king. This Temple features a nandi mandapa. Here lies the statute of Nandi, the Bull, which is Lord Shiva's vehicle. The grand building is kept by several chains of pillars and arks, making it  appear  to be grandiose. It is a place where people can worship Lord Shiva in the form of Shiva Lingam. It is a place where all the devotees undergo prayer and rituals so that they get their blessings from God Shiva, and the place is popular for its spiritual waves as well as divine energies. 

Omkareshwara Temple performs several rituals and festivals in a year. Maha Shivaratri is the most significant festival for the worship of Lord Shiva, and it is performed with maximum delight. On this day, several devotees visit the temple and fast, all through the night, in prayer and chanting mantras before the Lord to appease Him. The priests perform particular pujas on the festival day. Flowers, lights, and other puja articles decorate the temple. The temple performs its rituals daily through traditional ways of worship by doing priestly rituals, bhajans, and mantras. Devotees bring milk, honey, bilva leaves, and flowers to pray for the blessings of the Lord Shiva. This temple is being visited by tourists by circumambulation from the central shrine because it gives divine grace. Omkareshwara Temple still has very few myths and legends. They are a part of local traditions and beliefs; one of the most widely narrated stories among these is that of King Linga Raja, who built it after he received a favourable response from Lord Shiva to his prayers.

He considered it a time when he was going through an internal revolt with his adversaries after  seeking  the protection of Lord Shiva and favour in the hands of deities. He constructed Omkareshwara Temple at Madikeri as an indulgence prize for favours that he had been bestowed with. It is said that Lord Shiva transformed himself into a lingam to save the people residing at this place from this calamity. It is believed that those who visit Shiva Lingam, located within the Omkareshwara Temple, are relieved of their disasters, bad luck or epidemics. It has calm, silent surroundings full of green and hilly landscapes in a picture of silent reflections and prayer.  In  the  distance is the temple's lake. That creates a natural beauty that one will appreciate in the area of the  temple. The whole temple region has high potential; hence , it can be effectively utilized to present a silent walk to persons; then, they might derive joy from the flora and fauna that the locality may support. 

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The best time to visit Omkareshwara Temple is during the cooler months of October and March. It is cool in Coorg, and many devotees throng to the temple. Maha Shivaratri also makes it pretty busy; many pilgrims from India come here to celebrate and participate in the rituals. 

Nearby Attractions:

1. Abbey Falls: Of all the Coorg attractions, Abbey Falls is the most preferred fall. The fall set amidst beautiful coffee plantations and spice estates falls in a cascading manner about 70 feet deep. It is one of the  favourite attractions of nature lovers as well as photographers.

2. Raja's Seat: About 1 km east of Omkareshwara Temple, Raja's Seat is a pretty beautiful viewpoint with vistas of the western ghats. It is considered one of the loveliest spots from where one gets sceneries of both dawn and sunset, the erstwhile favourites of Coorg kings when they wanted a panoramic sight of the valley. 

3. Talacauvery: Talacauvery is 40 km from Madikeri, which is the source of the River Cauvery. It is also a holy place for the locals. Devotees from various places throng this goddess Cauvery temple. It offers panoramic views of all the sceneries. 

4. Iruppu Falls: Iruppu Falls: The beautiful waterfall in the Brahmagiri Range, 80 kilometres from Madikeri. This is one of the best places for trekking, and the waterfalls are beautiful during the rainy season. 

5. Nisargadhama: Nisargadhama is an Island on the Kaveri River, 25 kilometres from Madikeri. This serene abode is a fad for Bamboo Groves and Deer Park, as well as its natural charm. It is a very quiet place for picnics. 

6. Dubare Elephant Camp: Dubare Elephant Camp: It is about 30 km from Madikeri, and there you can get up, close, and personal and know their training. Also, take an elephant ride or accompany them to feed or bathe the elephants. 

7. Madikeri Fort: It is just 1.5 km from Omkareshwara Temple. This ancient monument was established in the 17th century by the King of Coorg. The engaging structures within the fort have Portuguese and British influences. The museum is inside the fort, and the views of the town are spectacular. 

8. Brahmagiri Hill: This is approximately 30 km from Madikeri and is heaven for trekkers. Brahmagiri Hill comes under Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a very challenging trek, so a sense of pride is gained while reaching there. From the top, one can see breathtaking sights of the surrounding forests and hills. 

9. Coffee Plantations: Coorg is very famous for its coffee plantations, which are found everywhere in the region. There is one such Coffee Plantation where one can have a guided tour of those plantations and can see and learn of the process of coffee cultivation, enjoy fresh coffee, enjoying a view of the surrounding greens as well. 

10. Harangi Dam: Harangi Dam is one of the scenic places. It is about 35 km from Madikeri and provides a highly scenic view of the surrounding hills, which would make it a perfect spot for a day trip on a rainy day when the dam is full. 

How to Reach: 

• By Air: There are major international airports in Mangalore International, located around 135 km from Madikeri, and the other one is Bengaluru International, 270 km from the city. It is possible to get from there to Madikeri by taxi or bus, and it takes around 3.5-7 hours to get to both of the points mentioned.  

• By Train: The nearest central railway station is Mysore Junction (120 km), which is very conveniently connected to many cities. From there, one can hire a taxi or take a bus towards Madikeri, which takes about three hours. If the same route is preferred, then Virajpet Railway Station is another alternative. You can take government and private buses from Bengaluru, Mysore, and Mangalore to Madikeri. From Bengaluru, it would take 6-7 hours, and from Mysore, it would take 3 hours. 

• By Bus: You can get government or private buses from Bengaluru, Mysore, and Mangalore. It would take around 6-7 hours from Bengaluru and around three hours from Mysore. 

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