5 Most Ancient Temples To Visit in Karnataka

The South Indian state of Karnataka is known for preserving the ancient heritage since ages. This region is blessed with several beautiful temples especially belonging to the Hoysala period. These sacred landmarks not only rejuvenate the spirit but also treat the eyes with mind-boggling architecture.

There are countless temples that are scattered in the region and it is indeed difficult to choose the best amongst them. Here is a rundown of the Top 5 Ancient Temples to visit in Karnataka that deserves a lot of admiration and respect.

* Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

Located in the heart of Hampi, the Virupaksha Temple is a Hindu religious structure dedicated to Virupaksha, an avatar of Lord Shiva. The temple has a history dating back to the 7th century. It was constructed by Lakkan Dandesha, a chieftain under Deva Raya II, the ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire.

The massive temple complex flaunts 3 antechambers, courtyards and a pillared hall. The entrance gateways surround the temple with the 9-tiered eastern gateway being the largest. The 50 metres tall gate is well constructed and incorporates some previously built structures. It is made of bricks with a stone base and takes you to the outer court that contains several small shrines. The gopurams lead to the inner corridors and are adorned with ornate-stone carvings. The eastern gopuram has 3-storeys while the northern gopuram comes with 5-storeys. Virupaksha Temple is enclosed by a number of mandapams whose ruins can be seen even today.

* Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebeedu

Hoysaleshwara is a Hindu pilgrimage centre located in Halebeedu, 150 kilometres from the city of Mysore. In the 12th century, the temple was built by Vishnuvardhana but was eventually invaded in the coming years. This temple is an outstanding example of Hindu architecture and showcases remarkable carvings of the Hoysala period.

This ancient monument houses over 240 figures that no other Hindu temple in the region has. It is a twin temple that is dedicated to Santaleshwara and Hoysaleshwara Shivalingam. Two Nandi shrines stand tall outside the temple and face the Shivalingas. There is also an inner sanctum built in honour of Surya Dev, the sun god. The intricate artwork in the Hoysaleshwara Temple is mostly damaged after the Muslim invasion in the 14th century. This heritage monument is proposed to be listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

* Chennakeshava Temple, Belur

Chennakeshava Temple stands erected in the Hassan District of Belur and flaunt the grandest Hoysala architecture. It was built by the Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana in the year 1117 and took over 100 years to complete. This historic structure has been constantly damaged during wars and repeatedly repaired over the period. Since its foundation, the Chennakeshava religious centre has been an active Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Chennakesava.

This temple is an architectural marvel that boasts of a large complex containing the Kappe Channigraya Temple, Ranganayaki Temple and a smaller Sowmyanayaki temple. The 37 metres tall temple features fine artwork of dancing women in different postures. There are a total of 48 pillars that are beautifully decorated with intricate designs. 4 of the central pillars are chiselled by artisans and are engraved with various figures of celestial damsels. Indeed, Chennakeshava Temple gives you a greater insight into the culture and traditions of the Hoysala period.

* Mallikarjuna Temple, Pattadakal

Snuggled in the region of Pattadal, the grand Mallikarjuna Temple is a feast to the sore eyes. Built in honour of Lord Shiva, this monument has a similar architectural style as of Virupaksha Temple but is slightly smaller in size. The temple was constructed in 745 AD by Trilokyamahadevi, Vikramaditya’s second wife. This heritage structure is currently managed by the Archaeological Survey of India and is also listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mallikarjuna Temple is an effortless blend of the Nagara and the Dravidian architectural style. The compound boasts 9 major temples that are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The monument also features an antechamber, a sabha mandapa and a sanctum. The timeless interiors are adorned in remarkable carvings that feature different scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Mallikarjuna Temple epitomises architectural beauty and reflects the charm of the bygone era.

* Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna

Located in the town of Srirangapatna, Ranganathaswamy Temple is a major pilgrimage site on the banks of the River Kaveri. This religious landmark is dedicated to Sri Ranganatha, a form of Lord Vishnu. According to the inscriptions, this sacred site was first consecrated in 984 A.D. by Tirumalaiah, a local chief. King Ballala of the Hoysala Dynasty made some major renovations to the temple in 1210.

Ranganathaswamy Temple is an architectural masterpiece that has a divine aura. There are several exquisitely carved pillars that take you to the main shrine. The inner sanctum flaunts the idol of Lord Vishnu that rests in a reclining position on the coils of the Adisesha Naag forming a canopy with the snake’s seven hoods. The idol of Devi Laxmi can be seen sitting at the Lord’s feet. There are also a number of other deities who stands around Lord Vishnu. Smaller shrines of Narasimha, Gopalakrishna, Garuda and Srinivasa are also visible in the temple complex.