Rishyasringa Temple Kigga

Rishyasringa Temple at Kigga, 10 km from Sringeri on the banks of the Nandini River, is believed to mark the spot where the Ramayana-era sage Rishyasringa was absorbed into the divine light at the end of his earthly life. The temple enshrines a uniquely shaped Shivalinga bearing three horn-like protrusions, symbolising the sage's union with the absolute. Inscriptions from the 7th century reference the deity here as Kilganeshwara. The name Sringeri itself derives from this site. Childless couples visit the temple seeking blessings, as Rishyasringa performed the putrakameshti yagna that resulted in the birth of Rama.