Ikkeri Aghoreshwara Temple

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 main entrance, you will be welcomed by idols of two elephants on both the sides. 



Since we reached at around 2 PM, temple was closed. So there was a hole in the door of Garba Griha and we peeked through that to get a glimpse of the Shiva Linga.  You can see Lord Ganesha and Lord Subrahmanya seated on left and right side of Lord Shiva.








After offering our prayers to deities, we sat there admiring the intricate carvings on the temple.


We then came out and took a circle of the temple soaking ourselves in heat as well as temple’s beauty. The intricate carvings on the exterior walls of the temple showcase extraordinary craftsmanship.


















Everything has been very well maintained by ASI (Archeological Survey of India). There were hardly any tourists in the temple premises. Hence it was very peaceful too.

 

There are no restroom facilities here. Once you come out of the temple, you will find one shop selling ice creams, butter milk and water. We took masala chaas (Butter milk) from this shop which was very refreshing. 

 

This place is a must visit if you are an architecture admirer and also to soak into the peaceful vibes of this tinsel Malnad hamlet.

 

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