Omkareshwara Temple, Madikeri, Karnataka India

The Omkareshwara temple in Madikeri was built by Lingarajendra II in 1820 in the Mumammadan style of architecture with a dome in the center and four turrets at four corners. Temple dedicated to Shiva, 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 performed. The bars of the windows of the temple were made of "Panchaloha" and an alphabet "lim" has been placed in between the bars.

It was a busy evening in Madikeri, the capital of Kodagu (also known as Coorg), a district of Karnataka State. Of the crowd we passed on our way to the Omkareshwara temple most were young and motorbikes were their preferred mode of transport. “Raja’s Seat is the only entertainment in the evenings around here,” Joy told me as the bus slowed down to pass groups of youths and families making their way to Raja’s Seat to watch musical fountains seemingly spout coloured water to loud rhythmic music. Raja’s Seat was to be our last stop for the day after Omkareshwara before heading back for the night to the Club Mahindra facility in Galibeedu, the tour sponsors. Abbey Falls was crowded. It was there that Joy gave us a short lesson in coffee beans as we walked back to the bus, pausing every now and then to look at coffee beans growing on either side of the cemented path. As the bus pulled away I looked forward to the quiet of the temple.