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Sahasralinga features 1,000 Shiva lingas intricately carved on rocks along the banks of the river Shalmala.
The site bears similarity to Cambodia’s Kbal Spean. (Photo Credit: Instagram)
India is a land of unparalleled natural beauty. There are countless breathtaking locations. One such gem is Karnataka’s Sahasralinga, a renowned pilgrimage site in the town of Sirsi. Famous for its approximately 1,000 intricately carved Shiva lingas etched into rocks along the banks of the Shalmala River, Sahasralinga draws devotees from across the country.
The pilgrimage site attracts devotees from all over the country. A video that grabbed attention on Instagram recently shows the natural beauty of Sahasralinga and its pristine surroundings.
Video Of Sahasralinga Goes Viral
The clip was shared with the caption, “A river full of Shivlings — Sahasralinga, Karnataka. Carved into rocks along the Shalmala River by King Sadashiv-arayavarma, each linga faces its own Nandi. Best seen when the waters recede — a divine sight revealed. “
The video shows the pilgrimage site when the water recedes, and the Shiva lingas are visible. There are garlands and flowers visible near some of the lingas. The force of the river water has not chipped away at the lingas or the carvings of Nandi around them. There is also a sign at the spot, warning people to keep the place clean.
Many users on social media platforms were left impressed by the clip. An individual said, “This place is very beautiful..full of शिवलिंग craved on stones divine place.”
Another chanted, “Har har mahadev.”
One user claimed, “That’s natural, no one has carved, and the stones are not from this planet Jai Kaal Bhairav.”
One account struck a cautionary note. “In a few years, these will be missing. Already few were missing,” the comment read.
All About Sahasralinga
The pilgrimage spot is a popular destination for devotees during Maha Shivratri, as per a Times of India report. It is best to visit Sahasralinga when the water level is low, so that the carvings are visible.
The lingas were built by King Sadashivaraya between 1678 and 1718. Each linga has a carving of Nandi positioned in front of it. As per TOI, the place bears similarity to Kbal Spean or ‘the Head Bridge’ in Cambodia. Both sites feature around a thousand intricately carved Shiva lingas within a river. Unlike Sahasralinga, the Cambodian site is harder to visit and is not seen as sacred.
There is limited information on the reason behind carving these lingas at Kbal Spean. As per local beliefs, the lingas are a symbol of creative energy, and the flowing water over them is believed to improve the fertility of nearby rice fields.
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December 14, 2025, 08:00 IST
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