Sirsi Marikamba Temple

A highly revered temple among devotees, the Sirsi Marikamba Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga aka Marikamba. Built in the year 1689, the main deity Goddess Durga is in an intensely powerful form. The eight-armed idol is almost 7- feet tall and mounted on a tiger. Legend has it that the deity was discovered in a pond near Hanagal in Hubli. Known as the highly awakened, vigilant deity of Sirsi, the renowned Shri Marikamba Fair that is held each alternate year here attracts scores of devotees from all over.
Also known as Doddamma Temple, with ‘Doddamma’ meaning ‘elder sister’ of all Mariammas aka Durga deities in Karnataka, the temple has a large courtyard in the middle. The temple has extremely striking murals in Kaavi art, an art form native to the Konkan region of coastal Karnataka. This stunning art that is extinct now, involves the creation of patterns done in red colour against a white background.