Lying in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, Coorg is a breathtakingly beautiful hill station. Blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, this scenic town is fondly called the Scotland of India as well. Apart from its clear blue skies, lush green forests, and misty mountains, Coorg is famous for several other reasons. Since this place offers much more than just scenic beauty, it is frequented by all kinds of travellers, including coffee lovers, photographers, food connoisseurs, thrill-seekers, and nature lovers.
From vast coffee plantations to cascading waterfalls, magnificent historical forts to ancient temples; there are plenty of places to visit in Coorg. One such attraction is the Shree Omkareshwara Temple, a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus.
Shree Omkareshwara Temple: Overview
Located in the small town of Madikeri near Coorg, the Shree Omkareshwara Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Being one of the most highly revered temples in the region, it attracts a large number of tourists. In addition to its great religious significance, this temple is also famous for its serene surroundings. It is situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, with lush green forests and rolling hills on all sides. This is why the Shree Omkareshwara Temple has become a popular attraction for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts as well.
History
Shree Omkareshwara Temple was built in the 18th century by King Lingarajendra II. There is a popular legend behind the construction of this temple. As per the story, the king killed a Brahmin in order to fulfil his political ambitions. After some time, he started getting nightmares, and he sought the advice of some wise men to put an end to this. They suggested that he should build a temple of Lord Shiva in order to absolve himself of this sin.
After building the temple, he installed a shivaling, which was brought from the holy city of Kashi. This is the same shivaling that is currently worshipped as Omkareshwara and visited by a large number of devotees.
Architecture
The Shree Omkareshwara Temple in Madikeri presents a perfect combination of Gothic and Islamic architectural styles. Known for its stunning architecture, this temple features a huge dome in the centre and four minarets on its four corners. The main entrance door has a copper plate on which the complete history of this temple has been inscribed. The Omkareshawara Shivaling is also situated near the entrance door.
When you go inside the temple, you’ll see a large water tank. Inhabited by various kinds of freshwater fish, this water tank is another major highlight of the temple. In the centre of this water tank, there is a mandapa, which you can reach through a walkway.
Best Time to Visit
Boasting a tropical monsoon climate and temperatures ranging from 14°C to 32°C, Coorg is a year-round destination. However, the winter season (October to February) is considered the best time to visit Coorg and the Shree Omkareshwara Temple. During these months, the weather remains pleasant enough for sightseeing and all kinds of outdoor activities.
How to Reach
Being a popular place of worship for Hindu devotees, Shree Omkareshwara Temple is easily accessible. This temple is located in Madikeri, which is well connected to all nearby major cities. Here’s how you can reach this temple:
- By Road: Madikeri is connected to cities like Bangalore, Mysore, Virajpet, Mangalore, etc. by a well-maintained road. Several private or KSRTC buses run regularly, which you can opt for. You can also hire a private taxi or come here in your own car.
- By Train: The town of Madikeri doesn't have its own railway station. So if you are planning to come here by train, you will have to get off at any nearby railway stations, such as Mysore, Kasargod, or Kannur. From there, you can take the road route to reach here.
- By Air: Located at a distance of 121 and 120 kilometres, respectively, Mysore Domestic Airport and Kannur International Airport are the two nearest options. You can find direct flights to both of these airports from all major Indian cities. Once you reach there, you can either take a bus or hire a taxi to reach the temple.
Entry Timing
The temple is open on all days of the week from 06:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM. However, the daily timing of Shree Omkareshwara Temple can change on special occasions like Mahashivratri. So, it is recommended to confirm it once again before visiting the temple.
Nearby Attractions
Here is a list of some popular things/places to see near Shree Omkareshwara Temple:
Namdroling Monastery
Located at an approximate distance of 35 kilometres from Shree Omkareshwara Temple, Coorg, this is a popular tourist attraction. Due to its distinct outer appearance, this shrine is also known as the Golden Temple of Karnataka. Housing around 5000 nuns and monks, the Namdroling Monastery is the second-largest Buddhist settlement in India. If you’re interested in learning more about Tibetan Buddhism, this is the perfect place to visit.
Raja’s Seat
Raja’s Seat is a popular vantage point in Coorg that offers stunning panoramic views of its surroundings. This place is equally popular among tourists and locals as a sunset/sunrise point. It is believed that Kodava kings, along with their consorts, used to spend their evenings here to admire the beautiful orange hues in the sky. If you want to spend some time admiring the natural beauty of Coorg, you
Mallalli Falls
Mallalli Falls is another popular tourist attraction near Shree Omkareshwara Temple. This waterfall is located in the foothills of the Pushpagiri hill ranges in Hasan district. It gets its water supply from the Kumardhara River, and it falls from a staggering height of 120 feet. With its beautiful, serene surroundings, this place is a popular picnic spot in the area.
With the help of this comprehensive guide, you can easily plan a trip to Shree Omkareshwara Temple. If you don't want the hassle of making any travel arrangements, you can explore Veena World's Coorg packages. Here, we offer an extensive collection of all-inclusive Coorg tour packages from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and several other cities.
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