Omkareshwara temple,Madikeri,Coorg

Omkareshwara temple    www.coorgholidayline.com

                     The Omkareshwara temple was established in 1820 by Lingarajendra II with Muhemmadan Style architecture,which featured a centre dome and four corners with turrets.Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva,Temple was built in the 19th century in a mix of Gothic and Islamic styles. Legend has it that the King put to death a Brahmin to fulfill his political ambitions and in order to appease the spirit of the Brahmin, the temple was built.That Brahmin became a "Brahmarakshasa" and started teasing the king with troubles. It left the king only when the king brought a "Shivalinga" from Kashi and installed it after building a temple. The shivalinga was named as Omkareshwara" and regular rituals were perfomed.The bars of the windows of the temple were made of “panchaloha” and an alphabet “lim”has been placed in between the bars.

            The temple has four minarets around it and a dome in the center. The temple is Similar to a Muslim dargah with a Linga installed near the entrance door. The King inscribed the history of the temple in a copper plate which is fixed at the entrance door frame. There is a water tank in front of the temple and in the middle of the tank there is a "mantapam" connected by a causeway. There are plenty of fish in the tank which is an attraction for children.The annual teppotstsava or Boat festival is a memorable event.

Pooja Timing: Morning 6:00 am to12:00pm, Evening  pm to 8:00pm.

Beauty Of Irpu Falls Coorg

             Irpu falls, which is around 45kms from Virajpet. The tributary of river Cauvery, the Lakshmana Tirtha River has its source in this falls. This fall is a major tourist attraction along with a pilgrim sight. One has to walk along the guided path for about a 1 km from the temple at Irpu to reach the falls. It is located on the Brahmagiri range. The falls creates a spectacular view with water plunging down in three tiers of approx 60m height, creating deafening noise that could be heard from a distance.

              According to a legend lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana passed along the Brahmagiri range. When lord Rama asked his brother to get some drinking water, Lakshmana shot an arrow at the Brahmagiri hills which started spurting water. This stream of water came to known as the Lakshmana Tirtha River. Due to this legend many pilgrims visit the Irpu Falls to wash off their sins.
There is a trekking route available over here where one can reach the peak of Brahmagiri hills.