Omkareshwara Temple

Omkareshwara Temple is a historic Shiva temple located in central Madikeri, Kodagu district, Karnataka. Built in 1820 by King Lingarajendra II, it is notable for its unusual blend of Islamic and Gothic architecture featuring four minarets, a central dome and a sacred pond. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple houses a Shivalinga and remains an active place of worship and a prominent cultural landmark in Coorg.

Visitors can expect a compact temple complex with a distinctive Islamic-style structure featuring four corner minarets, a central dome, and arched entrances surrounding a Shivalinga sanctum. A large sacred pond with a mantapa lies at the entrance. The setting is in the town centre near Madikeri Fort, with paved courtyards, steps leading to the shrine, and a calm devotional atmosphere where worship, sightseeing and exterior photography are possible.

Built in 1820 by King Lingarajendra II of Kodagu to atone for the killing of a Brahmin and to appease Lord Shiva. The temple reflects the architectural taste of the Kodagu rulers, combining Islamic and Gothic styles with traditional temple elements, and has remained an important religious centre in Kodagu since the early 19th century.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Omkareshwara, the temple is an active Hindu place of worship and a significant cultural landmark of Kodagu (Coorg). It is revered by devotees and visited for its religious importance, festivals such as Maha Shivaratri, and its distinctive architectural heritage representing the syncretic style of the period.