theladywanderer

After bidding adieu to Sri Chowdeshwari Devi in Sigandur as mentioned in my earlier blog ( link ), we next drove towards Ikkeri to visit Aghoreshwara temple which I had bookmarked in Want-to-go list.   Ikkeri is a heritage hamlet situated at around 5 Kms from Sagara town (Shivamoga district, Karnataka state). It is famous for Aghoreshwara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was the capital of the kingdom of the Nayakas of Keladi.   Aghoreshwara temple is built in unique style that has the influences of Vijayanagara, Dravidian, Chalukya and Hoysala schools of architecture. Lord Shiva resides in the main temple. Goddess Parvathi resides in a small temple next to this. And Nandi statue has been built in front of Shiva temple but unlike other temples here it is housed in an open mandapam. There is ample space for parking and no parking fee. There is no entry fee either. As you enter from the main gate, you will first see a small mandapam with a huge Nandi idol facing Lord Shiva.  At the mai

Sigandur is a small town located at about 40 Kms from its Taluk Headquarters Sagara town in Shivamoga district of Karnataka state. This place is well known for Shri Chowdeshwari temple that is dedicated to Goddess Chowdeshwari.  What's  so special about this place? :  This tinsel town is surrounded on 3 sides by the backwaters of Linganamakki dam formed by the Sharavathi river and is linked on one side by road that can be reached via Kollur. So one must travel just to experience this journey.  Getting there :  One needs to drive till the banks of River Sharavathi - Holebagilu village. From here you will need to park your vehicle and wait for barge. Two barges carry people and vehicles on other side of the river. You can even take private cars or even buses on the barge to reach Sigandur. After crossing the river, there are jeeps available that will take visitors to the temple.   We started from Sagara after breakfast and it took us around 1 hour 15 minutes to reach Holebagilu. He