Omkareshwara Temple, Madikeri

Omkareshwara temple was built by Lingarajendra in 1820. It is deidcated to Lord Shiva, it is located in Madikeri town. The temple has both Islamic and Gothic style of architecture. There is a tank in front of the temple with tons of fishes in it and a footpath leading to a small Mantap. The temple has four minarets around it and a dome in the center (similar to a Muslim Masjid).

History says Lingarajendra killed an honest and pious Brahmin to fulfill his political ambitions and there is another story which tells he desired a brahmin girl (apparently as a daughter-in-law though some accounts suggest he wanted to marry her). However her father, a poor brahmin man, refused to give his daughter away in marriage, and Linga Raja was furious because he refused and got the brahmin killed.


On killing the brahmin he acquired the brahma hatya dosha and began to get nightmares,like falling off the throne. Then he was advised to build a temple to get rid of his dosha.That Brahmin became a "Brahmarakshasa"and started troubling the king. The king got rid of him only when he brought a Shivalinga from Kashi and installed it after building a temple. The Shivalinga was named as "Omkareshwara" and regular rituals were performed.


The Shivalinga now worshipped in the temple has its origins in Kashi. Among the many Shivalingas in Kashi five are considered the most sacred, and Omkareshwara is one of them.


The bars of the windows of the temple were made of Panchaloha and an alphabet lim has been placed in between the bars. Praying to Omkareshwara is thus believed to get rid the sinner of the tormenting ‘Brahmarakshasa’.

Pooja Timings:

Morning 6:30 AM - 12:00 Noon.
Evening 5:00 PM - 08:00 PM.

Mahamangalarathi:
12:00 Noon
08:00 PM Night.

Location:

Madikeri is 252 km from Bangalore. It is often referred to as the Scotland of India. A very beautiful place indeed and is a hill station with mild climate during the summer.