What to expect
Highlights
- The distinctive dome-and-tower architecture blending several styles.
- The temple tank with its central pavilion and fish.
- A quiet living shrine near the fort.
Omkareshwara Temple
The Omkareshwara Temple in Madikeri was built in 1820 by the Kodagu raja Lingarajendra II and is dedicated to Shiva. Its architecture is unusual — a central dome and corner towers that echo Islamic and Gothic forms around a Kerala-style shrine, set beside a rectangular tank.
Practical guide
Plan Omkareshwara Temple
Typetemple
Nearest baseMadikeri
Best timeOctober to March
Time needed30 minutes
EntryFree
Nearest town/baseMadikeri
DistrictKodagu
Place typetemple
Time needed30 minutes.
The Omkareshwara Temple in Madikeri was built in 1820 by the Kodagu raja Lingarajendra II and is dedicated to Shiva. Its architecture is unusual — a central dome and corner towers that echo Islamic and Gothic forms around a Kerala-style shrine, set beside a rectangular tank.
Local tradition links its founding to the raja’s wish to atone for a killing, and the temple remains a calm, living shrine a short walk from the fort and market.
Visiting
Omkareshwara Temple — at a glance
Timings~6:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Best timeOctober to March
Entry: Free
Getting here
How to reach Omkareshwara Temple
Central Madikeri, near the fort
Distinctive dome-and-tower architecture and a temple tank.
Getting there
How to visit
- In central Madikeri, a short walk from the fort and bus stand.
- Remove footwear at the shrine and dress modestly.
Distance by road
- Mysuru120 km
- Bengaluru260 km
- Mangaluru135 km
- Kannur115 km
- Ooty210 km
Road km to Kodagu; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to March; mornings and evenings are calmest.
Weather in Omkareshwara TempleSeasonal guide
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Visitor notes
- Free entry; a functioning temple — follow the usual dress and footwear customs.
Safety
Good to know
On the map
Where Omkareshwara Temple is
Photos
Omkareshwara Temple in pictures
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What’s near Omkareshwara Temple
Good to know
Omkareshwara Temple — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Omkareshwara Temple?
October to March; mornings and evenings are calmest.
What are the entry fee and timings at Omkareshwara Temple?
Entry: Free. Timings: ~6:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach Omkareshwara Temple?
In central Madikeri, a short walk from the fort and bus stand. Remove footwear at the shrine and dress modestly.
How much time do I need for Omkareshwara Temple?
30 minutes.
What else is near Omkareshwara Temple?
Nearby you can pair Madikeri Fort (350 m), Raja's Seat (680 m), Gaddige Raja's Tomb (1.3 km), Abbey Falls (4.8 km).
Read next
More stories, legends & guides from Kodagu
Image credits
- Omkareshwara Temple:Ankit, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0