Over 2000 Km by road, in around 10 days. Stunning landscapes, wonderful people. That sums up our Ladakh trip. But how did it actually work? How did we make it happen? Read on to find out! Leh, the capital of Ladakh , is accessible by air and road. Flying into Leh is the easiest, and time-saving option, while the road is the time consuming one, but with the added advantage of driving past some of the most beautiful landscapes in our country. Each option has much to recommend it, and we chose the road for just one reason – altitude sickness. Altitude sickness was one of my biggest concerns, since I suffer from motion-sickness. Yes, I do travel a lot, but that is despite my condition, and, over the years, have learnt how to handle it. I struggled with it when we visited Nathu-La in Sikkim, and wondered if I would be able to manage a week at the even higher altitudes that we would encounter in Ladakh. This was the reason we stuck to a basic plan, of only 9 days in Ladakh, thoug...
Kings misusing their power is nothing new, neither in our
epics, our history, or even the present. Of course, in the present, the kings
are replaced by those in power, but, I digress. Getting back to my story,
learning of a king committing outrageous acts is nothing new. Leaning that he killed
innocent people is nothing new either, and we would scarcely lift an eyebrow. However,
when the spirit of the innocent victim plagues the king, we sit up and take
note! That is what makes the story of the Omkareshwara Temple in Coorg
interesting.
It was Lingarajendra II, the ruler of Kodagu in the early
1800s, who killed an innocent Brahmin. The reason for the killing isn’t clear.
It is mentioned on a plaque in the temple that the man opposed the king’s
misdeeds. I also read in a book that the king coveted the Brahmin’s daughter. Whatever
the reason, the king spilt an innocent man’s blood. However, the victim was
tenacious, even after death, turning into a Brahmarakshas (spirit) and
troubling the king. It was easy for Lingarajendra to kill the Brahmin, but he couldn’t
cope with the supernatural, and he turned instead to more Brahmins – learned ones,
who told him that the only way he could be rid of the spirit was by getting a
special lingam from Kashi (Varanasi) and installing it at the spot where he had
killed the Brahmin. That was something the king could do. He arranged for a
lingam to be brought from Kashi and installed at the very spot. The temple was
built and consecrated in 1820, and, it is said, that the spirit troubled him no
more!
Interestingly, the temple is built in Islamic style, the
dome and minarets towering over the tiled roofs of the city. Inside, the temple
is simple, with the shrine holding the main lingam surrounded by one corridor. Opposite the temple is a pond, with a small shrine in the centre, connected by a causeway. There are plenty of fish in the pond, which are a huge attraction for children.
It was late evening when we visited, and a puja was just getting
completed. There was all the evidence of a busy temple – bells ringing, the
sound of chanting, and the hum of the crowd. It was all over in a few moments, and,
by the time we went around the sanctum once, we found that we were the only
ones there. At once, it seemed we were in a different time and place – there
was calm, peaceful, utter silence.
Standing there in front of the lingam, I wondered about
journeys – my own journey, from Mumbai to Coorg, to see Him, He who had once
made the journey from Kashi to Kodagu. My journeys bring me peace and
happiness, but His journey had brought peace to someone else. Now, whether he
deserved it, is another matter entirely!
The temple might have brought some relief to Lingarajendra,
but he didn’t live long enough to reap the benefits of the temple. He passed
away soon after, and the throne passed to his son, who turned out to be even
more cruel than his father. However, the dynasty had little time left in power,
for, scarcely 14 years later, in 1834, the British took complete control over
Kodagu.
Misdeeds are never forgiven or forgotten, are they? Can they
be atoned by building temples or performing sacrifices? What do you think?
Information:
- The temple is located in Madikeri Town.
- Timings: 6:30 AM to 12:00 Noon; 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Loved reading it. The pics are amazing
ReplyDeleteThank you, Akum!
DeleteThis Post Explain How Rich Is our history, The Post Is good.
ReplyDeletejust One Question I would Like To ask You Is your Cover Picture Is Of Which Place???
Awesome images, great information
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandhya!
DeleteSuch a beautiful place
ReplyDeleteGreetings http://kolorywogrodzie.blog.onet.pl
Thank you Ela!!
DeleteNice temple. Though I have been to Coorg many times, am yet to visit this temple.
ReplyDeletehttp://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/10/mom-i.html
Very interesting. It is queer to find a temple in Islamic style!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post and nice images!!
ReplyDeleteYou are writing about Omkareshwara Temple, Coorg. Thanks for Sharing such a nice information its very interesting!!
Well I don't know what to say, if its the power of the place or that bad spirit of the king passed on to others. I had a very bad experience when I visited this temple few years ago. Me along with 9 other "non-kannadiga" friends had been to coorg . This was a photography trip for us (basically to learn & experiment on photography). This temple was recommended by one of my colleague who was from this place. We entered the temple premises & searched for any "No-photography" board. The temple was closed & we had access only to walk around the temple pond. It was noon & no a soul around, we started taking photos & experimenting on photography. All of a sudden a man came, who claimed to be temple priest, started shouting & abusing us for taking photos. As I was the only one who knew kannada, I tried to explain him & say that we are just photo enthusiasts and nothing else. Also I said we did not find any "No photography" board, so we started taking photos. That guy continued to abuse us in bad language & also threatened to beat us with help of locals. We some how managed to get out of that place. It was a very bad experience. I really lost respect for locals of that place because of this idiot.
ReplyDeleteI'm a muslim & respect all faith. Interesting to know about this unique temple. I was googling for something else but ended up here & learning abt this temple. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI did visit this temple and found the architecture amusing due to its Islamic influences.
ReplyDeleteRathina's View Space
Good to know. Thanks for the info....I'm travelling to coorg in August. I'll definitely visit this temple :)
ReplyDelete