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This is the beautiful Aghoreshwara Temple of Ikkeri. This temple is less than 4 kms from my hometown and it happens to be one of my favorite places near my hometown. The word Ikkeri in kannada means two streets. This temple is situated in the center of this small village and dominates the village with its unique beauty. Ikkeri was the capital of the Keladi Nayakas. The dynasty was founded in 1499 at Keladi very close to Ikkeri and hence the dynasty came to be known as Keladi Nayakas. Chavuda Gowda of this dynasty later moved the capital from Keladi to Ikkeri (1560-1640).

This temple and one more temple in Keladi are the only reminders of that great era. Aghoreshwara/Lord Shiva is the main diety worshipped here. The temple is built on a artificial mound. The sculptures on either side of the huge doorways and pink paint used all around the doorway of the temple is unique and striking. The temple is built using laterite material, which is abundantly found in this part of the region. There is a blend of the Hoysala, Chola and the Vijayanagar styles of architecture, and the resultant architecture is a masterpiece and very unique to Ikkeri. The pooja and worship is being going on in this temple for the past 150 years (approx).