Aghoresvara
Temple, Ikkeri – History
The
temple was constructed in 16th century by Keladi chief Hiriya
Venkatappa Nayaka (1586 – 1629 CE). Italian traveler Pietro Della Valle,
visited his kingdom in 1623 CE, called him an able soldier and administrator. He
describes about the festival of this
temple in his memoirs. The
temple was ransacked by Tipu Sultan during an invasion on Nayakas of
Ikkeri. Nayakas of Keladi (1499 – 1763CE), were
an Indian dynasty based in Keladi in present-day Shimoga
district of Karnataka, India. They were also known
as Nayakas of Bednore and Ikkeri Nayakas. They initially ruled
as a vassal of the famous Vijayanagar Empire.
They asserted their independence
after the fall of the Vijayanagar empire in 1565 and ruled significant parts
of Malnad region of the Western Ghats in present-day
Karnataka, most areas in the coastal regions of Karnataka, and parts of
northern Kerala, Malabar and the central plains along the Tungabhadra
river. They were absorbed into the Kingdom of Mysore in 1763 CE with
their defeat to Hyder Ali. Sadashiva Nayaka (1530–1566 CE) was an
important chieftain in the Vijayanagar Empire and earned the
title Kotekolahala from emperor Aliya Rama Raya for his
heroics in the battle of Kalyani.
The coastal provinces of
Karnataka came under his direct rule. He moved the capital from Keladi to Ikkeri.
The word Ikkeri in Kannada means Two Streets. Ikkeri
remained their capital from 1560 CE to 1640 CE. Then, the capital was moved to Bednur
Nagara. However, Ikkeri continued to be their nominal capital, the Kings were
called by its name, and the coins were called Ikkeri Pagodas and Fanams.
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