Majestic Temples of India

Male Mahadeshwara Temple Chamarajanagar, Karnataka Male Mahadeshwara Temple is located in Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka. This is very popular temple which is situated in Hill range which constitutes 7 hills called as Elu Male. Mahadev is Swayambhu lingam here. Sthala Puranam is about Mahadeshwara who is believed an incarnation of Mahadev. Sri Mahadeshwara was born to poor parents. He then came here to do tapasya. Here he saw an asura, Shravana, who had captured many rishis. It is said that Sri Mahadeshwara killed asura and protected the sages who were in his prison. The place where they were kept captive is called Thavasere and the place where Shravana lived is called Shravana Boli. Sri Mahadeshwara then performed Tapas here. It is believed that he is still performing tapasya in the Garbha Gudi in the form of a Linga. The Temple of Mahadeshwara was built by Junje Gowda. Har Har Mahadev

Chennakesava Temple Belur, Karnataka आकाशात् पतितं तोयं यथा गच्छति सागरम् । सर्व देव नमस्कार: केशवं प्रति गच्छति ॥ Like every drop of water falling from sky goes to Ocean, each prayers offered reaches Keshava. Chennakesava temple Belur, was originally the capital of the Hoysala Kingdom. King Vishnuvardhana built the temple which was originally named Vijayanarayana Temple. Hoysala time is considered as a golden period because of their influence on art & architecture. Temple is dedicated to Mahavishnu who is Chennakesava here, meaning very beautiful Kesava. Locally referred to as Kalasagar for its fine sculptures each bhavas are exactly reflected in the Murthy. Temple is star shaped structure called Jagati, which is said to have taken around 103 years to build. Temple was built as an important military victory by King Vishnuvardhan over the Cholas. The overhead panel on the main door to the temple depicts the ten avatars of Mahavishnu. The large Navrang Mandapa is with highly pol...

Lakshmi Devi Temple Doddagaddavalli, Karnataka Lakshmi Devi Temple is located in Doddagaddavalli of Hassan District, Karnataka. Temple was built during Hoyasala rule by King Vishnuvardhana. This has chaturkoota structure means consist of four Garba Griham. Main Sannidhi is of Lakshmi Devi. Mahavishnu, Mahadev & Maa Kali. This temple is considered to be most beautiful Hoysala architecture. Ceiling art of Shiva playing Rudra Veena is very beautiful. Like the other Hoysala temples, this temple is also constructed using Soap Stone, only one difference is, here there is no platform. Usually Hoysala temples contain square or star shaped platforms which can be used to do prathakshina. Carvings of each and every image is breathtaking. Agni riding on a one horned ram, holding his weapon. Only temple with soumya bhaava of Kaali. Yama riding his buffalo, Varuna riding a crocodile, also Indra Deva with wife Indrani on his Airavat elephant. Lakshmi Devi temple, Doddagaddavalli is thus an archi...

Kedareshwara Temple Halebidu, Karnataka Kedareshwara Temple situated at Halebidu on the Hassan District of Karnataka is a Hoysala architectural excellence, constructed by Hoysala King Veera Ballala II. Mahadev is worshipped here called Ishwara here. Temple is protected by ASI. Construction is done using Soap Stone. The three sannidhi is connected to a square central hall called Mahamantapa. In the Pradakshina Path, there are many rows which depicts Cavalry forces, Elephants, lions fighting with each other story board of Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Bhagavatha etc. Samudra Manthana, Bheeshma sleeping on the bed made out of arrows, Abhimanyu entering the Chakravyuha etc. Beautiful Carvings of Mahavishnu, Mahishasura Mardhini, Krishna, Varaha, Ganesha, Saraswathi etc make the temple very rich in architecture. Bhava ( expressions) of each image is perfectly reflected in the pillars. Out Temple's which are magical inside is a must visit to realize about the skills our ancestors had. Om Namah...

Lakshmi Narayan Temple Hosaholalu, Karnataka Lakshminarayana Temple in Hosaholalu was built by King Vira Someshwara of the Hoysala reign, dedicated to Mahavishnu. Beautiful carved Sculptures, interiors and designs made out of Soapstone makes this temple very unique. Precious gems were found buried underground here thus the name. Lakshmi Narayana Temple is Trikuta style means 3 Garba Griham. Temple is one among the gems of Hoysala architecture. It is said that a town used to exist here with majestic forts. Remains of same still exists around one side of the temple. Venugopalaswamy on left, Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy on right & Lakshmi Narayana in the middle. Temple is built on a platform which resembles of a star. Garuda carrying Ma Lakshmi & Mahavishnu, Indra Deva on his Airavat, Krishna playing his flute while Adisesha protecting him, all sculpture & carving is brilliant. Polished granite pillars are excellent work of artisans. Narayana

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Nuggehalli, Karnataka                                                      Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is located at Nuggehalli, Hassan District of Karnataka. Built by Bommanna Dandanayaka, a commander in the Hoysala during the reign of King Vira Someshwara, this is a fabulous temple with Trikuta Vimana, having 3 shrines. Main shrine is of Lakshmi Narasimha, Keshava and Gopala sannidhi is also seen here. Lakshmi narasimha Swamy is said to be powerful as every wishes of devotees come true. This place was called before as Agrahara, the place of learning. Temple is Hoysala rich heritage which is built on a platform of around 4 ft also this is family deity to many. Temple is built using Soapstone, larger Mandapa was added later. 3 sannidhi are located around a closed Mantapa. Temple is excellent master piece for architectural brill...

Veera Narayana Temple Chikmaglur, Karnataka                                           Veera Narayana Temple is located at Belavadi in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. Temple stands as the best example of Hoysala architecture. Built in 13th century by Veera Ballala II this is built in Trikuta style having 3 vimanas, which means 3 shrines. During Summer solstice rays of Sun falls directly on Veera Narayana Swamy, main diety. It is believed that it was in this place Bheema killed Bakasura and protected the villages. Veera narayana Swamy sannidhi is in the centre, to the right is Yoga Narasimha and left is Venugopala. Built with soapstone the temple is excellent in architecture while other Hoysala temples in Belur are famous for sculptures. There are a total of 108 Lathe tuned pillars in this temple. 8 ft tall Chaturbhuja Veeranarayana Swamy is made of Salagrama with Sridevi and Bhudev...

Shri Chandramouleshwara Temple Unkal, Karnataka Chandramouleshwara Temple which is situated at Unkal of Karnataka is dedicated to Paramshiva. About 900 year old temple showcases architectural skill of Chalukyas. This is preserved by ASI due to the marvelous sculptures here. It is said that Chalukyas built the temple in the 11th and 12th century to show off their skills and power to their enemies. It is believed that this temple was built overnight by a group of skilled sculptors. It was planned to finish the work by morning, but they couldn't complete the work on said time and thus structure is incomplete. Temple does not have gopuram. Eventhough this is unfinished temple it's architecture is excellent. Temple have two Shivalingas, one is Chaturmugha Linga means four faced Shiva Linga. Several devotees arrive here to have darshan on Monday Om Namah Shivaye

Kote Anjaneya temple Tumkur, Karnataka Kote Anjaneya temple dedicated to Shri Hanuman. Temple is located at Tumkur district of Karnataka. At the entrance of the temple there is 75 Hanuman statue in standing position with Shri Ram and Lakshmana in shoulders. Prathista of Shri Anjaneya Vigraham was done by Sri Vyasaraja. Sri Vyasaraja is regarded as the Rajaguru of the Vijayanagar Empire also the guru of the renowned poets Kanakadasa & Purandaradasa. Anjaneya is said to be the guardian here. Jai Hanuman

Sri Venkataramana Swamy Temple Gadidam, Karnataka Gadidam Sri Venkataramana Swamy Temple also called Second Tirumala is located at Bagepalli of Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka. Mahavishnu is worshipped as Bhooneeladevi Sahita Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy. Sthala Puranam is associated with Mahabharatha. It is believed that Temple was built by Raja Janamejaya, son of Parikshit maharaja who ruled Bharatha Varsha. Parikshit was cursed by Maharshi Shamika's son that he will die of a Poisonous Snake (Takshak) bite After Parikshit's death. Janamejaya became king and he vows to kill all the Snakes & conducted Sarpasatra to destroy all Snakes. Serpents including aadi sesha prayed for help and Astika Muni came and requested Janamejaya to stop satram. But doshas of destroying serpents remained in him and became ill. Adhi Sesha suggested Janamejaya to build Vishnu temples to get relieved from the doshas. Thus this temple was constructed. After this period, Chola king had a dream ...

Kurudumale Ganesha Temple Kolar, Karnataka Kurudumale Ganesha Temple is located at Kurudumale of Kolar district. Tall Vigraham of about 13 ft is made of Salagrama sila which prathista is said to be done by Tri Murthy's Brahma, Vishnu and Mahadev. The Tri Murthy's along with other Devas when came together are called Koodu male or Kootadri which later came to be known as Kurudumale. It is believed that Vigraham has been in earth since 4 yugas, Kritha, Tretha, Dwapara and Kali yuga. Mahadev worshipped the Vigraham and during the search of Ma Sita, Sri Rama has worshipped here. Shri Krishna has also said to have worshipped here. Vigraham was seen by villagers and informed to King Krishnadevaraya. Later temple was built here. Very powerful Ganesha who always bestows every wishes of the devotees. People worship here before new job or new phase of their life. Ganesh Chaturthi is very famous here. विघ्न विनायक पाद नमस्ते

Kukke Subramanya Temple Karnataka                                            Kukke Subramanya is located in Subramanya, Dakshina Kannada dt of Karnataka. Subramanya is worshipped as the deva of serpents here. Temple is famous Naga parihara Sthalam. Sthala Puranam says that Kashyapa muni adviced the divine serpent Vasuki to take refuge under Subramanya when threatened by Garuda. Kashyapa muni advices Vasuki to go to Kumara Ksetra in Sahyadri and do tapasya here to Subramanya. Thus Subramanya arrived here after Tarakasura vadham & married Devasena. Vasuki was united & is worshipped along Kartikeya. It is said that dip in Kumaradhara Thirtha will remove all diseases. In the GarbhaGriham, we see Subramanya and Vasuki. Just below Shesha is also present. There is the Garuda Pillar inside the temple which is believed to be placed to protect devotees from the poisonous flam...

Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple Mudigere, Karnataka Mudigere Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple is located in Hassan District of Karnataka. Narasimhar is seen in Yogasana posture and thus worshipped as Yoga Narasimhar about 7 ft tall. Lakshmi Varaha Sannidhi prathista is done to calm Narasimhar. Temple is constructed in Hoysala style architecture. Manjekaapu seva (turmeric) alankaram for Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy at this temple is very famous. Sthala Puranam is about the Ugra bhavam of Narasimhar. Before opening Garbha Griham people used to place green husk in front of the door. The green husk would catch fire because of the Ugra murthy. Thus to calm down ungra murthy, prathista of Lakshmi Varaha Swamy is done here. Before opening Narasimha sannidhi, Lakshmi Varaha sannidhi is opened first, and prathista is done such a way that drishti of Narasimhar falls straight to Lakshmi vahara murthy. Narasimha Jayanti is very famous here. Pillars in the temple depicts the brilliant Hoysala architectu...

Navaneetha Krishna Temple Doddamallur, Karnataka Navaneetha Krishna Temple is situated at Doddamallur in Karnataka, is also called Ambegalu Navaneetha Krishna. This is only Temple where Krishna is in a crawling position with butter (navaneetha) in his hand. Prathistha of Vigraham is done by Veda Vyasa Muni. Krishna as a small crawling baby with butter in his hand is said to bless childless couples. Couples offer cradles here. There are many stories relating here, one is of a rich women who stayed in Bhadrachalam. She lost her eyesight and Krishna came in her dream & asked her to come here and serve him. She reached here and prayed to Krishna day & night. Thus she regained her eyesight. Another story is about King of Mysore, who, when visited here got attracted by this vigraham and took vigraham with him. Krishna came in his dream and ordered to return back to Temple. But King didn't obey and as a result part of Palace caught fire. King then returned the vigraham with dur r...

Sri Marikamba Temple Sirsi , Karnataka Shri Marikamba Temple located at Sirsi of Uttara Kannada District in Karnataka. Marikamba Maa is a form of Durga Devi, also called as Doddamma Temple, Devi is considerd as elder sister of all Mariamman. Vigraham is about 7ft high with 8 hands. Story says that 7ft vigraham was found in a pond near Hangal. Later King of Sonda, Sadashiva Rao gave orders to do prathista of the wooden deity here. Marikamba Temple is decorated with Kavi art on both sides of its walls. Marikamba Temple is well known for Marikamba Jathre, held once in two years which is considered one of the biggest Ratha festivals Karnataka. Jai Maa

Sri Sampige Srinivasa Temple Tumkur, Karnataka Sampige Srinivasa Temple, located in Tumkur is very old temple dedicated to Srinivasa. The village was called as Champakapuri because of Champaka trees. Srinivasa Perumal Temple dates back to Dwapara Yuga. Temple was once worshipped by King Sudhanva who ruled there. After his rule temple became unnoticed and thus became an Anthill. It is said that Narada Muni would come & worship Srinivasa every night with Devas. Once a villager who was passing the way found bright light from the anthill and he discovered Vigraham here. Later he informed authorities who built a grant temple here. Ratholsavam is very famous here. Annual Brahmotsavam is held during May. Perumal is seen here holding Shanka, Chakra, Gadha. Om Namo Narayanaya

Dasarighatta Chowdeshwari Temple Tumkur, Karnataka Chowdeshwara temple is located at Dasarighatta of Tumkur district Karnataka. Shakti Devi is worshipped as Chowdeshwari Ammavaru here. Temple is said to be 300 years old, and Vigraham is of Panchaloham. Temple holds a great & beautiful speciality, in which we can write each and every question directly & Devi will answer our questions. It is believed that Devi answers all the questions even in the mind of a devotee. The question can be asked in any language of Kannada, Hindi, English, Telugu etc. The poojari is believed to write down the answers in the Kannada on  rice flour or ragi flour base. Sree Mahadevyai Namaha

Amaragiri Malekal Tirupati Temple Hassan, Karnataka Malekal Thirupati Shri Venkateswara Swamy temple is located in Hassan District. Very famous and ancient temple of about 800 year old is of architectural marvel of Hoysala time. It is believed that Agasthya Muni worshipped Venkateshwara Swamy here.  Sthala Puranam says that, Vashishta Muni worshipped Venkateshwara Swamy and did tapasya here for about 800 years. On the day of Ashada Shuddha Dwadashi, Venkateshwara Swamy gave Darshanam to Vashishta Muni. Maha Rathothsava is held in the temple every year to celebrate this event.  The Vigraham was forgotten for many years, until one day, Thimmappa Nayaka, then ruler got a dream to worship Venkateshwara Swamy, the place where Vashishta Muni worshipped Venkateshwara. The place was once called Malekallu, but after the Prathista of Vigraham, the temple was called Malekallu Tirupati Temple. Venkateshwara Swamy is at top of hill and Govidanraja Swamy down the hill.  Om Namo Narayan...