Sahasralingeshwara Temple

Sahasralingeshwara temple is one of the oldest temples of Dakshina Kannada district and it is also referred as Dakshina Kashi. The Sahasralingeshwara temple is located in Uppinangady where the two sacred rivers of Dakshina Kannada river Netravathi and river Kumaradhara confluence. The temple is situated adjacent to the National Highway NH-48 (Bangalore-Mangalore Highway). The Sahasralingeshwara temple is very old temples and the temple has history of about 2, 500 years. The present structure of the temple belongs to the 13th century. The original Linga is covered by sand on the bank of river Netravathi towards the left of the Sahasralingeshwara temple. During annual festival, the sand is removed and also a temporary structure is built of Lord Sahasralingeshwara. It is extremely hard to get rid of the entire sand hiding the Shiva Lingas because it will get filled in rainy seasons every year. The Kumaradhara river joins Nethravathi river near Sahasralingeshwara temple in Uppinanangady. At the time of heavy rainy season, these two sacred rivers get united before Lord Sahasralingeshwara. It is believed as an good time for devotees to take holy bath and then worship Lord Shiva, which assures eternal purity and Moksha after death. Apart from the Sahasralingeshwara temple, Goddess Mahakali has a separate shrine on the banks of river Nethravathi holding the trisen, trishula, khadga, damaruga and a bowl of beverage in her hands. Mokhe Jathre is held thrice in every year - on a full moon day of Hindu Magha month, Krishnapaksha Ashtami of Magha month and on Shivarathri.