<p>Located about eight km from Sringeri is the small temple town of Kigga, famous for its Rishya Shringeshwara Swamy temple. The temple is named after the famous sage, Rishya Shringha, an ascetic who was born with the horns of a deer, according to Hindu mythology. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Interestingly, the town of Sringeri also gets its name from this great sage. <br />Legends that surround his birth vary, but one version has it that he was born under a curious combination of circumstances and is the son of the great sage, Vibhandaka, and a doe. He was born with a horn on his forehead. <br /><br />The sage, it seems, decided to raise his son in the wilderness and the boy grew up in the forest to be a young man of mystical powers. During his youth, the kingdom of Anga experiences severe drought, and king Romapada decides to seek the advice of his ministers. <br /><br />He is told that the drought situation can be overcome only if a brahmin of perfect chastity enters the kingdom. The moment Rishya Shringha enters Anga, the kingdom is bestowed with bountiful rains and drought is wiped away. Joyful, the king gives his daughter in marriage to the sage who then becomes an honoured guest in the king’s court. A story in the Ramayana also has it that Rishya Shringha is invited by Ayodhya king, Dasharatha, to officiate the Putrakameshti yaga (yaga performed for heirs) that eventually leads to the birth of Lord Rama and his brothers. <br /><br />Eventually, the sage returns to his favourite abode, the forest, and performs penance to merge with Shiva. This place, mythology has it, is present-day Kigga. The temple compound is a relatively big structure and has been designed in the Malnad style of temple architecture. The temple is situated at the centre of a courtyard-like structure. <br />The sanctum sanctorum consists of three deities with lord Shiva as the main deity and Valamburi Ganesha on the one side and Goddess Mahishamardhini on the other side. Because this temple is not known to many, it has few visitors, a peaceful environment as well as a mystical aura. About five km from the temple is the Sirimane waterfalls. <br />Situated deep inside a reserve forest area, the road leading to the waterfalls is relatively well maintained by the Forest Department, which has also provided basic amenities at the waterfall site. The exciting part is the changing surroundings around the road during the journey where paddy fields and arecanut plantations give way to dense forests, soothing the eyes of a traveller.<br /><br />How to get there <br /><br />Kigga can be reached by local buses from Sringeri bus stand. The bus service is not regular, so it helps to keep tabs on the timings and frequency. <br /><br />The approach road to Sirimane Falls lies on the right side of the temple enclosure and can be easily identified, thanks to Karnataka Tourism sign boards. The only public transportation available are auto rickshaws, which charge a slightly expensive fare for a return trip.</p>
<p>Located about eight km from Sringeri is the small temple town of Kigga, famous for its Rishya Shringeshwara Swamy temple. The temple is named after the famous sage, Rishya Shringha, an ascetic who was born with the horns of a deer, according to Hindu mythology. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Interestingly, the town of Sringeri also gets its name from this great sage. <br />Legends that surround his birth vary, but one version has it that he was born under a curious combination of circumstances and is the son of the great sage, Vibhandaka, and a doe. He was born with a horn on his forehead. <br /><br />The sage, it seems, decided to raise his son in the wilderness and the boy grew up in the forest to be a young man of mystical powers. During his youth, the kingdom of Anga experiences severe drought, and king Romapada decides to seek the advice of his ministers. <br /><br />He is told that the drought situation can be overcome only if a brahmin of perfect chastity enters the kingdom. The moment Rishya Shringha enters Anga, the kingdom is bestowed with bountiful rains and drought is wiped away. Joyful, the king gives his daughter in marriage to the sage who then becomes an honoured guest in the king’s court. A story in the Ramayana also has it that Rishya Shringha is invited by Ayodhya king, Dasharatha, to officiate the Putrakameshti yaga (yaga performed for heirs) that eventually leads to the birth of Lord Rama and his brothers. <br /><br />Eventually, the sage returns to his favourite abode, the forest, and performs penance to merge with Shiva. This place, mythology has it, is present-day Kigga. The temple compound is a relatively big structure and has been designed in the Malnad style of temple architecture. The temple is situated at the centre of a courtyard-like structure. <br />The sanctum sanctorum consists of three deities with lord Shiva as the main deity and Valamburi Ganesha on the one side and Goddess Mahishamardhini on the other side. Because this temple is not known to many, it has few visitors, a peaceful environment as well as a mystical aura. About five km from the temple is the Sirimane waterfalls. <br />Situated deep inside a reserve forest area, the road leading to the waterfalls is relatively well maintained by the Forest Department, which has also provided basic amenities at the waterfall site. The exciting part is the changing surroundings around the road during the journey where paddy fields and arecanut plantations give way to dense forests, soothing the eyes of a traveller.<br /><br />How to get there <br /><br />Kigga can be reached by local buses from Sringeri bus stand. The bus service is not regular, so it helps to keep tabs on the timings and frequency. <br /><br />The approach road to Sirimane Falls lies on the right side of the temple enclosure and can be easily identified, thanks to Karnataka Tourism sign boards. The only public transportation available are auto rickshaws, which charge a slightly expensive fare for a return trip.</p>
