Sahasralinga and Marikamba Temple

Date: 29-Aug-16

After having a nice and deep sleep, we woke up to a pleasant cold morning. Our todayโ€™s plan included to cover the major attractions in and around Sirsi (Sahasralinga, Marikamba Temple, Banavasi, Unchalli Falls) and then, Jog Falls and Keladi Temple on our way back to Bangalore.

Sirsi
Sirsi

Since we had a long day to go, we quickly got ready and had tasty breakfast at the hotel where we stayed (hotel Madhuvana) and started at 7.45 AM towards our first destination, Sahasralinga. We reached there at 8.15 AM. The road to Sahasralinga was amazing with dense green forests on both the sides. Little bit of drizzling and very less traffic on the road made the route even more scenic.

Sahasralinga

  • Parking fee: 20 Rs (four wheeler)
  • Timings: 7.30 AM to 6 PM
Sahasralinga
Sahasralinga

Sahasralinga is a popular pilgrimage place for the people of Karnataka and it gets its name from the number of Lingas that you can see in the place. In Kannada, Sahasra means thousand. According to locals, there are around a thousand Lingas under the waters of the river Shalmala and on the river banks. You need to go a few steps down the parking lot to see these Lingas carved on almost all the rocks in the river. You can also see the Nandi (bull) built in front of many Lingas. This makes the place a unique one. The river flows through the thick forests of Malenadu and hence one can notice lush greenery throughout the year.

Hanging Bridge
Hanging Bridge

If you walk a little further from the parking lot, you can also find a ย beautiful hanging bridge. Walk on the bridge to experience the panoramic view of the river, the Lingas, and the surrounding beautiful nature. Since we went early in the morning, there were hardly any people and we could spend a peaceful time there.

We came back to our room at around 9.15 AM and checked out and headed towards the famous Marikamba Temple.

Marikamba Temple

  • Timings: 6 AM to 9 PM
  • Parking fee: 20 Rs
Marikamba Temple
Marikamba Temple

Marikamba temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is present in the center of Sirsi town. The temple is also called as Doddamma temple. It is built in the year 1688 houses the idol of the fierce form of the goddess Durga with eight arms, riding on a tiger and killing a demon. The temple looks very different from the usual temple architecture. It looks like a very big house from the outside and the beautiful red paintings on the walls of this temple make it one of its kind. The interior of the temple is huge making it accommodate a large number of pilgrims. The Marikamba Jatra is held every alternate year in the month of February is said to be the most famous and biggest fair (jaatre) of Karnataka.

We spent time in Marikamba temple till 10.30 AM and then headed towards our next destination, Banavasi.

  • Route Travelled: Sirsi > Sahasra Linga > Marikamba Temple
  • Photos: Sirsi Album

See also:

Route Map:

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25 Responses

  1. Bindu says:

    Have been to most places here and yes it is so beautiful!

  2. Feels amazing to be back and to read all these posts! We havent been here…looks lovely ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. So many gorgeous temples…

  4. WOW! What better than a temple amidst a jungle ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Beautiful places. Need to see them some day.

  6. There is place in Balesore, Odisha called Pachlingswar (means 5 Linga)…. but this place has Sahasralinga… a place to see and believe.

  7. Beautiful pictures again…thanks for the detailed post…will definitely visit when in India next

  8. Wow thanks for sharing this great article. Beautiful Pictures

  9. That was a very old temple. I see and hear this places nameI want go there many time but I can not go there Because I have not any guideline about this place . I want to know more information about this places. I know that was a so dangerous places. I am waitting for your reply.

  10. Nice Post Thanks for Sharing it.

  11. THanku for shairing the post

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