Ikkeri Aghoreshwara Temple, Karnataka

Address

Ikkeri Aghoreshwara Temple, Karnataka

Ikkeri, Kalmane, Sagar Taluk,

Shimoga District,

Karnataka 577401

Moolavar

Aghoreshwara

Introduction

A small and a heritage village called Ikkeri situated in Sagar Taluk of Shimoga District in the Malanadu region of Karnataka has been of great importance historically. Just about 6 km away from Sagar, lays this ancient Ikkeri village and a temple called Aghoreshwara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Puranic Significance

The temple is built with popular stone granite available in abundance, this 16th-century temple is a unique mix of Vijayanagara and Dravidian styles of architecture. There are three shrines, one each of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva or Aghoreshwara, and his vehicle Nandi. The magnetic Lord Shiva is placed in the main hall or Garbhagriha with two elephants on the main gates. The Lord Siva in the temple holds a special position as the shrine is surrounded by 32 female figures also known as Shakti Peethas. Shakti Peethas are the forms of Goddess Durga. Aghoreshwara temple popularly known as Ikkeri temple. It is believed that the Shivalinga in the Ikkeri temple is a self-manifested deity and was found in the deep forests of Shimoga. An ancient temple is now under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India.