Temples

The State of Karnataka is known for its multitude of tourist attractions and temples. Pilgrimage centers such as Mookambika and Udupi cradled in the western ghats offer a contrast to the ruins of the once grand Vijayanagar edifices at Hampi. The Hoysala temples marked with a profusion of intricate sculpture, and the ancient temples built by the Cholas, and the Chalukyan temples add to the variation in style across this state.

About the Temples of Karnataka: The Chalukyas, the Gangas, the Hoysalas, the Vijayanagar rulers and others contributed to diverse temple styles seen in Karnataka

Halebidu - a sculptors dream lived in stone. The Hoysaleswara temple in Halebidu is a masterpiece of Hoysala architecture and sculpture.

Mookambika - Kollur: Rich in legend and tradition, this temple at Kollur is closely associated with Adi Sankaracharya.

Udupi - is the seat of the Madhva school of philosophy. The Balakrishna temple is one of the well visited pilgrimage centers of Karnataka.

Gokarna: This ancient Shiva temple is revered pilgrimage center in Karnataka ; it has been revered by the hymns of the ancient Tamil saints.

Sravanabelagola: The collossal monolithic image of Gomateswara or Bahubali is a familiar sight to those touring Karnataka.

Nandi hills, located near Bangalore is home to the Bhoganandeeswara and Yoganandeeswara temples.

Belur Chennakesava Temple: Explore the rich sculptural wealth of this ancient Hoysala monument built by Vishnuvardhana of the 12th century CE.

Somnathpura: The Kesava temple at Somnathapura located near Mysore is a standing illustration of Hoysala art.

Belur Chennakesava Temple: Explore the history of this Hoysala monument and experience its sculptural splendour.

Srirangapatna near Mysore - the historic capital of Tipu Sultan enshrines Ranganatha and Ranganayaki at the grand Ranganatha temple.

Melkote located near Mysore is home to the Tirunarayana temple and is a seat of the Sri Vaishnava tradition.

Chamundeswari Temple built at Chamundi hills near Mysore enshrines Chamundeswari the tutelary deity of the Maharajahs of Mysore.

The Virupaksha temple at Vijayanagar dating back to the period of Krishna Deva Raya, enshrines Virupaksha or Pampapati.

Mahakoota is another early Chalukyan temple art repository and is located near Badami

The Vitthala temple at Vijayanagar (Hampi) is known for its halls with exquisite pillars, intricate friezes and the a stone chariot.

Talakkad near Mysore: This ancient temple at Talakkad near Mysore was patronized by the Cholas of the 12th century CE.

Badami: The ancient town of Vatapi was a capital of the early Chalukyas. It is now known as Badami and it has several temples from the sixth and seventh centuries CE.

Pattadakal, the third in the triad of early Chalukyan art centers near Bijapur has several landmarks in the evolution of temple architecture.

Aihole near Bijapur is one of the centers of early Chalukyan art. The Durga temple is probably the best known of the temples here.

Sringeri: The Vidyashankara temple is a magnificient temple built under the patronage of the Vijayanagar empire.

Nanjangud: The Shrikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud near Mysore is a revered center of worship.

The Kalyani Chalukyas of the 11th & 12th centuries developed a temple style characterized by ornate pillars and doorways

The district of Kolar known more for its gold fields is home to several temples tracing their history through several royal dynasties that ruled the region

Subrahmanya is one of the seven revered Mukti stalas of Karnataka and it enshrines Subrahmanya (Kartikeya).

The Seven Mukti Stalas of Karnataka associated with Parasurama include some of the well visited pilgrimage shrines such as Kollur, Udupi & Gokarna.

Dharmastala - a well visited pilgrimage center in Karnataka enshrines Manjunatha, in this stala of Dharma or righteousness & charity.