Sahasralinga

Sahasralinga is a sacred site along the Shalmala River near Sirsi in Karnataka's Uttara Kannada district, where over 1,000 Shiva lingas are carved into the riverbed rocks. The carvings were commissioned by Sadashivarayavarma (also known as Akasappa Nayaka), king of Sonda (1678-1718), who was advised by a priest to create 1,008 lingas to be blessed with an heir. The site also features carved Nandi bull figures, Naga imagery, and mythological scenes. The carvings are best visible from October to March when monsoon waters recede.