Various dynasties such as the Ganga,
Kadamba, Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, Hoysala, Vijayanagara, Yadava, Wodeyar, Nayaka
and the Keladi have contributed immensely in building innumerable great temples
across the length and breadth of the state of Karnataka. The temple
architecture of Karnataka holds a prominent place in the history of Indian
temple architecture. The grandness of these temples has always mesmerized us
and these temples have been an integral part of our travel journeys all the time. Though there
are a multitude of temples spread across different parts of the state, popular
ones like those at Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal, Hampi, Belur, Halebidu,
Shravanabelagola, Gokarna, Belavadi, Itagi and many such are major tourist attractions, while a majority of them still remain lesser known. Here is our
personal list of the top 50 must visit lesser known temples of Karnataka.
Though this is a comprehensive list, there are many other temples outside this
list and many that we are yet to visit. However, these temples are surely worth
finding a place in the list of everyone interested in architectural, historical
and pilgrim travel.
Taluk: Kadur, Chikmagalur
Dynasty: Gangas in 8th
century and Hoysalas in 12th century
About:
This trikuta temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of linga) in the
main western garbhagriha with Lords Keshava and Surya in the other two cells.
The ceiling carvings here are exemplary and typical of Hoysala architecture. Read More.
2. Sri
Kalleshwara Temple, Bagali
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| Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Hirenallur |
Taluk: Harapanahalli,
Davangere
Dynasty: Rashtrakutas in 9th
century and Kalyana Chalukyas in 10th century
About:
This trikuta temple (though not typical in layout) is dedicated to Lord Shiva
(in the form of linga) in the main eastern garbhagriha with Lords Narasimha and
Surya in the other two cells. This temple is considered to be Karnataka's
Khajuraho owing to the presence of various erotic carvings on the outer walls
of the temple. Read more.
3. SriGalageshwara temple, Galaganatha
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| Sri Kalleswara Temple, Bagali |
Taluk: Haveri
Dynasty: Kalyana Chalukyas
in 11th century
About: This ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of linga). The temple has a unique pyramidal structure which has helped it survive the wrath of floods by the river Tungabhadra. Read more.
About: This ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of linga). The temple has a unique pyramidal structure which has helped it survive the wrath of floods by the river Tungabhadra. Read more.
Taluk:
Hoovina Hadagali, Bellary
Dynasty:
Kalyana Chalukyas in 10th century
About: This ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of
linga) with a small shrine dedicated to Lord Surya. Art critic Alexander Rea
has summarized this temple in his book stating "every detail of carved
work is as minutely finished as jewelry". Read more.
Taluk: Ranebennur, Haveri
Dynasty: Kalyana Chalukyas
in 11th century
About: This dwikuta temple is dedicated
to Lord Shiva (in the form of linga) in the main eastern garbhagriha with Lord Surya
in the opposite cell. Read more.
Taluk: Arsikere, Hassan
Dynasty: Hoysalas in 11th
century
About: This ekakuta temple is dedicated
to Lord Shiva (in the form of linga). This temple has a unique dome shaped
mukhamantapa supported by 21 pillars. Read more.
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| Sri Chandramouleswara Temple, Arsikere |
Taluk: Badami, Bagalkot
Dynasty: Badami Chalukyas in
6th Century
About: This ekakuta
temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of linga). This temple belongs
to an era which is considered to be the cradle of temple architecture in
Karnataka.
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| Naganatha Temple, Naganathapura |
Taluk: Hubli, Dharwad
Dynasty: Kalyana Chalukyas
in 11th century
About: This unique 12 doored temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses two lingas, one of which is plain and the other is a Chaturmukha (four-faced) linga.
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| Sri Chandramouleshwara Temple, Unkal |
Taluk: Shikaripura, Shimoga
Dynasty: Rashtrakutas in 8th century,
Kalyana Chalukyas in 11th century and Hoysalas in 12th century
About: This temple complex
spread across a large area is home to 5 temples including a Jain Basadi. Each
temple here is unique resembling different styles of architecture. The front
panels of Someshwara temple has stories carved from the epics of Mahabharata
and Ramayana.
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| Trimurti Narayana Temple, Bandalike |
Taluk:
Shikaripura, Shimoga
Dynasty:
Kalyana Chalukyas in 11th century, Hoysalas in 12th century
About: This trikuta temple has Lord Shiva (in
the form of linga) in two of its cells and Lord Keshava in the other cell.
There are many temples here built by the Chalukyas. There is a beautiful
sculpture of Gandabherunda (seen here as a mythical bird with two heads and
human body) at Bherundeshvara temple.
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| Sri Kedareshwara Temple, Balligavi |
Taluk:
Nagamangala, Mandya
Dynasty:
Gangas in 9th century
About: There are two basadis (one
dwikuta and another trikuta) here which together form Panchakuta basadi
dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras. This type of Panchakuta temple is a rarity; the
ceilings of the temples are exquisitely carved.
Taluk:
Turuvekere, Tumkur
Dynasty:
Hoysala in 12th century
About: This ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of
linga). The outer walls of this temple have fine carvings of the Hoysala
period. There is another temple dedicated to Lord Chennakeshava, also built
during the same period though smaller in size with similar plan. Read More.
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| Sri Kedareshwara Temple, Nagalapura |
Taluk: Navalgunda, Dharwad
Dynasty: Badami Chalukyas in 7th century, Kalyana
Chalukyas in 10th century
About: This ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord
Shiva (in the form of linga). Probably this must have been the first temple
built in black soapstone by Kalyana Chalukyas. There are many ancient and
modern water tanks in this town.
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| Sri Amrutheshwara Temple, Annigeri |
Taluk: Shirahatti, Gadag
Dynasty: Badami Chalukyas in 7th
century, Kalyana Chalukyas in 10th century
About: This ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort
Goddess Parvathi and houses a unique and beautiful idol of Shiva and Parvathi seated
on their vehicle Nandi (the bull). There are many Jain temples in the town and
a tomb built during the period of Adil Shah.
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| Sri Someshwara Temple, Lakshmeshwara |
Taluk: Arsikere, Hassan
Dynasty: Hoysala in 13th century
About: This trikuta temple is dedicated to Lord Keshava in the main
western garbhagriha with Lords Venugopala and Lakshmi Narasimha in the other
two cells. The outer walls of this temple have some fine carvings of the Hoysala
period. There is another temple dedicated to Lord Rameshwara built during the same
period.
Taluk: K R Pete, Mandya
Dynasty: Hoysala in 12th century
About: This dwikuta temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of
linga) who is worshiped as Sangameshwara and Jangameshwara. This is a unique dwikuta
with two antarala’s opening into a common Navaranga. There is another temple
here dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Naryana built by the Hoysalas. Read more.
Taluk: Turuvekere,
Tumkur
Dynasty: Hoysalas in 12th
century
About: This ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord Chennakeshava. This
temple has an interesting legend associated with it. Read more.
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| Sri Chennakeshava Temple, Tandaga |
Taluk: Hassan
Dynasty: Hoysalas in 12th century
About: This is a unique Chaturkuta (four
shrined) temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi in the main eastern garbhagriha
with Lord Shiva (in the form of linga) and Goddess Kali in the other cells. One
cell is devoid of any idol. Read more.
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| Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavahalli |
Taluk: C R Patna,
Hassan
Dynasty: Hoysalas in 12th
century
About: This ekakuta Jain basadi is dedicated
to the Jain Tirthankara Shantinatha. The outer wall of this temple has rich
decorations of various tirthankaras and other sculptures.
Taluk: Tiptur, Tumkur
Dynasty: Nolambas in 9th century, Hoysalas
in 12th century
About: This ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord Chennakeshava. The outer
walls of this temple have rich carvings of various gods and goddesses. There is
another small temple in this town dedicated to Lord Kalleshwara; there is an
exquisitely carved Tandaveshwara (dancing Shiva) on the central ceiling
surrounded by asthadikpalakas and flying gandharvas. Read more.
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| Sri Chennakeshava Temple, Aralaguppe |
Taluk: Yelburga,
Koppal
Dynasty: Rashtrakutas
in 9th century, Kalyana Chalukyas in 11th century
About: This is a Navakuta (nine shrined) temple housing Shiva-lingas in all of its cells and probably the
only one of its kind surviving.
Taluk: Mandya
Dynasty: Hoysalas in 13th century
About: This trikuta temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form
of linga) in the main western garbhagriha with Lord Surya and the couple deity of Naga-Nagini
in the other cells. This is also our most favorite temple. Read more.
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| Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Basaralu |
Taluk: Hirekerur,
Haveri
Dynasty: Kadambas in 5th Century,
Kalyana Chalukyas in 11th century, Hoysalas in 13th century.
About: This trikuta
temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has linga in all the three cells. This temple was built by the Kadambas in 5th century and underwent subsequent renovation in 11th century by the Kalyana Chalukyas.
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| Sri Kadambeshwara Temple, Rattihalli |
Taluk: Chikkaballapur
Dynasty: Vijayanagaras
in 15th century
About: Lord Ranganatha Swamy temple here was built along the lines of
Srirangapatna and Srirangam (Tamil Nadu). The idol of Lord Ranganatha Swamy is
very beautiful and the entire temple complex is grand.
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| Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Rangasthala |
Taluk: Mulbagal, Kolar
Dynasty: Vijayanagar in 15th century
About:
This grand temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva with the linga possessing a unique feature of changing color with the time of day.
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| Sri Virupaksheshwara Temple complex, Virupakshi |
Taluk: Hangal, Haveri
Dynasty: Kadambas in
5th century, Kalyana Chalukyas in 11th century
About: This grand temple
dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of linga) is one among the earliest
temples of Karnataka built around 5th century. The beautiful navaranga here is built
in the style of Chalukyan architecture.
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| Sri Tarakeshwara Temple, Hangal |
Taluk: Turuvekere,
Tumkur
Dynasty: Hoysala in 13th
century
About: This trikuta temple is dedicated to
Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy in the main western garbhagriha with Lords
Chennakeshava and Venugopala in the other two cells. The Shikara here has some
fine carvings.
Taluk: Nelamangala,
Bangalore
Dynasty: Cholas in 10th century
About: This ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of
linga) and the temple style exhibits Dravidian architecture. The outer walls
have carvings of the various forms of Shiva and his family. Read more.
Taluk: Hoovina
Hadagali, Bellary
Dynasty: Kalyana
Chalukyas in 12th century
About: This ekakuta temple
is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of linga). The unique feature of this
temple is carving of Apsaras on the pillar tops of the front porch and the numerous
Nagabandha carvings on its door frames. Read more.
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| Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Kuruvatti |
Taluk: Humnabad, Bidar
Dynasty: Kalyana
Chalukyas in 11th century
About: This ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of linga). This small temple has many beautiful carvings of shilabalike’s on its outer walls.
About: This ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of linga). This small temple has many beautiful carvings of shilabalike’s on its outer walls.
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| Sri Kamaleshwara Temple, Jalasangi |
Taluk: Shiggaon, Haveri
Dynasty: Kalyana
Chalukyas in 12th century
About: This ekakuta temple
is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of linga). Due to the presence of 60
beautiful pillars, this temple is popularly called as Aravattukhambada Gudi in kannada.
Taluk: Hubli, Dharwad
Dynasty: Kalyana
Chalukyas in 12th century
About: This dwikuta temple is
dedicated to Goddess Banashankari with Lord Shankar in the other cell. Read more.
Taluk:
Hagaribommanahalli, Bellary
Dynasty: Kalyana
Chalukyas in 10th century
About: This Ekakuta temple
is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of linga), the dwarapalakas here are
attended by Rathi and Manmatha (goddess and god of love). Read more.
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| Sri Kalleshwara Temple, Ambali |
Taluk: Chamarajanagar
Dynasty: Gangas in 9th century
About: This Ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of
linga), the pillars of Nandi Mandapa and navaranga here are beautifully carved
with depictions of stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
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| Sri Arkeshwara Temple, Hale Alur |
Taluk: Mulbagal, Kolar
Dynasty: Gangas in 10th
century
About: The group of four temples here houses a Shiva-linga each and are believed to
have been installed by Lord Rama and his brothers. Hence they are called by the names of Ramalingeshwara, Lakshmanlingeshwara, Bharatalingeshwara and Shatrugnalingeshwara.
It is believed that goddess Sita gave birth to Lava and Kush in a cave nearby
to this temple.
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| Sri Ramalingeshwara Temple Complex, Avani |
Taluk: Yelandur,
Chamarajanagar
Dynasty: Gangas in 9th century, Vijayanagar in 15th century
About: This temple like many temples built by the Gangas is a Panchalingeshwara
temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has a beautiful Mahadwara also
called as the BaLe Mandapa due to the presence of a set of stone rings (resembling
bangles) beautiful carved out of a single stone. Click here to view the video of this temple.
Taluk: K R Pete,
Mandya
Dynasty: Hoysalas in 12th
century
About: This unusual trikuta temple has three garbhagrihas housing a Shiva-linga each. There are lots of
small carvings on the outer walls of this temple. Read more.
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| Sri Malleswara Temple, Aghalaya |
Taluk: Arsikere,
Hassan
Dynasty: Hoysalas in 12th
century
About: This
ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord Chennakeshava and is small yet grand. There
is also a beautiful pillared hall surrounding this temple. Read more..
Taluk:
Channarayapatna, Hassan
Dynasty: Hoysalas in 12th
century
About: This beautiful ekakuta temple is dedicated to Lord Chennakeshava.
The Kalasa on top of the Shikara is considered to be biggest of all. Read more.
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| Sri Chennakeshava Temple, Anekere |
Taluk: Hassan
Dynasty: Hoysalas in 12th
century
About: This trikuta
temple is dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narayana in the main western garbhagriha
with Lords Chennakeshava and Venugopala in the other two cells.
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| Sri Lakshmi Narayana Temple, Adagur |
Taluk: Mysore
Dynasty: Hoysalas in 12th century
About: This trikuta temple is dedicated
to Lord Lakshmikantha in the main western garbhagriha with Lords Chennakeshava and
Venugopala in the other two cells.
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| Sri Lakshmikantha Temple, Hedathale |
Taluk: Belur, Hassan
Dynasty: Hoysalas in 12th
century
About: This trikuta temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form
of linga) in the main western garbhagriha with Lords Chennakeshava and Surya in
the other two cells.
Taluk: Koppal
Dynasty: Nayakas in
17th century
About: This
dwikuta temple is dedicated to Lord Kanakachalapathi (Vishnu) with Goddess Lakshmi
in the other cell. Read more.
Taluk: Sedam, Gulbarga
Dynasty: Rashtrakutas
in 9th century, Kalyana Chalukyas in 11th century
About: This is a Panchakuta temple with five garbhagrihas housing a Shiva-linga each. There are 2 life-sized Saiva dwarapalas at
the entrance followed by two female dwarapalas at the entrance of the navaranga. Read more.
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| Sri Panchalingeshwara Temple, Sedam |
Taluk: Ramdurga,
Belgaum
Dynasty: Kalyana
Chalukyas in 12th century
About: This temple complex has nine temples
altogether with most of them being dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of
linga). Only the main temple of Bhutanatha has some carvings on its outer walls
while the others are plain and simple.
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| Bhutanatha Temple, Torgal |
Taluk: Bhatkal, Uttara
Kannada
Dynasty: Vijayanagaras
in 14th century
About: This Basadi is the
biggest of the all the basadis here and is a two storey structure dedicated to various
Jain Tirthankaras. There are many small yet beautiful temples in the
nearby village of Mood Bhatkal.
Taluk: Holalkere,
Chitradurga
Dynasty: Vijayanagar
in 15th century
About: This ekakuta
temple is dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha. The 5 storey Rajagopuram of this
temple is quite unique and rare. Read more.
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| Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Horakeredevapura |
Taluk: Parasgad,
Belgaum
Dynasty: Kalyana
Chalukyas in 11th century
About: This is a Panchakuta temple with five garbhagrihas housing a Shiva-linga each. This was an erstwhile Jaina basadi which later was converted into
a temple. This town had 101 temples and stepped wells, most of which are in
ruins today.
 |
| Panchalingeshwara Temple, Hooli |
Taluk: Shikaripura,
Shimoga
Dynasty: Hoysalas in 12th
century
About: This ekakuta temple
is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of linga). This was an erstwhile Jaina
basadi which later was converted into a temple. There are many sati stones in
the temple. Read more.
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| Ishwara Temple, Udri |
Taluk: Belthangadi,
Dakshina Kannada
Dynasty: Ajila in 16th
century
About: This lesser known statue of Gomateshwara is 38 feet tall
and sculpted out of a single stone.
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| Gomateshwara, Venur |
The commitment of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to the cause of conservation, preservation, maintenance, repair and restoration
of archaeological sites and historical monuments is highly
commendable. Kudos also to the combined efforts by the State Archaeology
Department and Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmothana Trust
(SDMDT) under the public-private partnership model in restoration of
heritage structures. Trusts such as SDMDT and the like, including local authorities and citizens must come forward and take up many such restoration works of ancient temples and monuments that are unprotected and lie in a dilapidated condition, in order to save our rich heritage. We have updated the list further, click here to view the second part of the series.
PS: A new page has been added to our blog, which has a collection of our Vlogs. Click here to view.
This is a marvelous collection of temples. I enjoyed seeing the different styles and architectures. You've captured the temples with white or gold towers in beautiful light.
ReplyDeleteStunning, archeology at its best, thanks.
ReplyDeleteSo many temples, amazing! Thanks for sharing your research.
ReplyDeleteAmazing temples. Great to read.
ReplyDeleteThank you
This is an exceptional list! Great job. Been to only a couple of them.
ReplyDeletethis is a great list :)
ReplyDeleteYou have successfully noted down the best temples in Karnataka! Definitely going to bookmark this post as we are so curious to visit each one of these..:)
ReplyDeleteWonderful list of temples. A must visit.
ReplyDeleteAn exhaustive list! Great job.
ReplyDeleteSo many amazing Temples! Bookmarking this page :D Hope I get to visit them all some day.
ReplyDeleteHelp the people interested to visit ancient temples. Great effort in compiling the information.
ReplyDeleteHope to visit some day. Any route to visit from maharashtra if any one knows, pls tell
ReplyDeleteexcellent collections of Temples. I make an attempt to see few of these temples
ReplyDeleteGood collection and details
ReplyDeleteI always visit this site while planning out a weekend trip or trek
Kudos to the team