Ikkeri

Ikkeri ; ಇಕ್ಕೇರಿ
State :	India
State :	Karnataka
District :	Śivamogga
Location :	14 ° 8 ′ N , 75 ° 1 ′ E Coordinates: 14 ° 8 ′ N , 75 ° 1 ′ E
Height :	625 m
Residents :	500 (2011)
	Ikkeri - Aghoresvara Temple

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Ikkeri ( Kannada ಇಕ್ಕೇರಿ ) is a village with about 500 inhabitants in the municipality ( taluk ) of Sagar in the Shimoga district in the southwestern Indian state of Karnataka .

location

Ikkeri is located in the rainy and wooded Western Ghats at an altitude of about 625 m above sea level. d. M. The city of Sagar is only about 5 km northeast; the district capital Shivamogga is located approx. 75 km (driving distance) southeast. The climate is often humid; Rain falls mainly during the monsoon months June to September.

population

The majority of the Kannada- speaking population consists of approx. 95% Hindus ; Muslims are a numerically small minority. The male and female proportions of the population are roughly the same.

economy

The people of Ikkeri live largely as farmers. Rice is mainly grown in the fields , but betel palms and other aromatic plants such as pepper , cinnamon , nutmeg and cloves also play an important role in the local economy.

history

Ikkeri became the capital of the quasi-independent rulership of the Nayaks of Keladi in 1560 ; the place received the right to mint . In 1640 the capital was moved to Bednur , about 40 km further south (today a district of Nagara ), but Ikkeri remained the religious center of the dynasty.

Attractions

Aghoresvara Temple, Nandi Shrine

The main attraction of the place is the Aghoresvara temple, consecrated to the Hindu god Shiva and enclosed on all sides, whose architecture is influenced equally by the traditions of the Hoysalas and Hampi ; the construction can be dated to around 1560. The flat roof of the vestibule ( mandapa ), which is accessible from three sides and sparsely lighted by numerous Jali windows , is supported by mighty pillars / columns inside. To the left and right of the main entrance there are stone elephants and artistically worked images of gods that bear the attributes of Shiva and Vishnu and are repeated several times on the building. Above the sanctuary area ( garbhagriha ) rises a multi-tiered pyramid roof with an umbrella dome and a metal spherical rod as the top.