Omkareshwara Temple

Omkareshwara Temple is situated in the heart of Madikeri Hill Station of Coorg. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and built by King Lingarajendra in 1820 as an act of penance.

The influence of the architecture of the Muslim period can be seen in this temple as the area ruled by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan during that period. There is also a dome in the middle of this temple, and it has four bastions on its four corners. The look of this temple resembles a dargah.

There is a Shivlinga at the entrance of the temple. There is also a water tank in this temple, and there is a pavilion in the middle which is connected to the whole temple. The name of this temple is Omkareshwara because some people believe that the Shivlinga installed in this temple was brought from Kashi by the king.

The king said to have killed a Brahmin to fulfill his political goals and later built a temple for his soul to rest in peace. Later this soul turned into a Brahmarakshas and started troubling the people. Later, Shivlinga was established in this temple, after which people got liberation from that soul.

This temple is entirely different from other temples located in Coorg.