Kigga Temple, also known as Rishyashringeshwara Swamy Temple,
is a unique shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and Sage Rishyashringa. The temple
is located at Kigga in Sringeri in Chikkamagalur District, Karnataka. The story
of the temple is associated with the legend of Sage Rishyashringa.
Legend has it that Sage Rishyashringa and his wife performed
intense austerities and meditation to please Shiva at Kigga. Shiva appeared in
the form of Chandramouleshewara before the Sage and his wife.
When Shiva appeared before Sage Rishyashringa he was so excited that as boon he asked Shiva to join with him. The sage really wanted to ask for moksha, or he wanted to merge with Shiva.
When Shiva appeared before Sage Rishyashringa he was so excited that as boon he asked Shiva to join with him. The sage really wanted to ask for moksha, or he wanted to merge with Shiva.
The main murti worshipped in the temple is a combined form of Shiva and Sage Rishyashringa.
Subsidiary deities include Mother Goddess, Goddess Durga,
Ganesha, Subrahmanya and nagas.