Shri Marikamba Temple is a highly revered shrine at
Sirsi, in
Uttara Kannada District of
Karnataka. It is about 21 km from Kumta. The presiding deity of this temple is Goddess Marikamba, an incarnation of
Sridevi. The goddess, a family deity of the people of Uttara Kannada and
Dakshina Kannada districts, is seen here in both Mari (terror) as well as Maremma (saviour) forms.
Legend has it that the image of the deity was found in a tank on the outskirts of the town and with the permission of Sadashiva Rao II, the then king of Sonda, it was installed here in 1611.
The Marikamba fair, which takes place every alternate year, attracts millions of devotees from all corners of the country. Chariot festival is also conducted as a part of this fair. Jayanti Utsava on Vaishakha Shuddha Asthami is celebrated here to commemorate the installation of this deity.
