Aghoresvara Temple, Ikkeri, Karnataka

Aghoresvara Temple, Ikkeri, Karnataka

Aghoresvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Ikkeri Village in Sagar Taluk in Shivamogga District in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is a mixture of Chalukyas, Cholas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara architectural style. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2022/10/aghoresvara-temple-ikkeri-history.html

The Temple

This temple is facing towards north. A huge Nandi can be found in an open mandapa in the courtyard facing towards the main shrine. The arches of the nandi mandapa follows Indo Islamic style. The nandi mandapa is provided with Yali balustrated steps on the southern side. The temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa has ornamental doorways on the western, eastern and northern side. All the three entrances can be accessed through balustraded steps.

The northern doorway is the main entrance flanked by two elephants on either side. The mukha mandapa is supported by six intricately carved pillars. The ardha mandapa have two niches on either side of the ardha mandapa doorway. The right niche enshrines the images of Ganesha & Kartikeya and left niche enshrines the images of Mahishasura Mardini & Bhairava. A small Nandi can be seen in the ardha mandapa facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum contains a gigantic pedestal sculptured with 32 seated female figures.

It occupies nearly three fourth of the sanctum. The temple has a metal image of 32 handed Aghoresvara. The sanctum is crowned with dravida style shikara. The walls of the sanctum have double pilaster turrets. There are carvings of three of the Keladi chiefs, doing obeisance with their names inscribed above each of them on the floor in front of the shrine. There is a north facing shrine for goddess Parvathi can be seen on left side of the sanctum. This shrine consists of sanctum and mukha mandapa.

The walls, ceilings and pillars of the temple are carved with images of Hindu deities, social life, dancing girls, animals, floral motifs and geometrical patterns. There is relief of Scorpio and two lizards engraved in the ceiling on the left side of the outer wall. There is an interesting myth related to the carvings of lizard. The lizards are separated by a thin line. It is said that when the lizards come in contact crossing the lines, that is the time for the world to stop functioning.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 5 Kms from Sagar Bus Stand, 5 Kms from Sagar Railway Station, 32 Kms from Jog Falls, 34 Kms from Soraba, 38 Kms from Sigandur, 58 Kms from Shikaripur, 76 Kms from Shivamogga, 160 Kms from Hubballi and 165 Kms from Hubballi Airport. The temple is situated on Sagar to Sigandur route.

Location