Temples In Karnataka

Temples of the Indian State of Karnataka illustrate the varieties of architecture prevalent in various periods. The architectural designs have found a distinguished place in forming a true atmosphere of devotion for spiritual attainment.

Durga Temple, Aihole
Much famed as the Cradle of Temple Architecture, the village of Aihole boasts of about 125 temples in and around the village. Every Karnataka temple tour will take you to Aihole and the most famous temple in the village is that of the Durga Gudi temple. Built in 7th Century AD, the temple boasts of beautiful rock cut architecture and is built in an apsidal and oblong shape that sets it apart from all other temples in Karnataka.

Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Virupaksha Temple at Hampi is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, sits on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and attracts huge crowds during the annual chariot festival and festivities of Virupaksha and Pampa. Virupaksha Temple at Hampi is a must visited temple while on guided tours of the state along with Hoysaleswara.

Mookambika Temple Karnataka
The Mookambika Temple is located about 147 kilometers away from Mangalore of Karnataka. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and is known to have been built by Parshurama. The temple is known for its holy ambience and pleasant environment. The architecture is brilliant and flawless. The idol of Goddess Mookambika is a Jyothirlingam, formed by both Shakti and Shiva. This temple has a strict dress code with sarees and salwars for women, and a white lungi for men.It looks all the more beautiful during the festival season of Navrathri.

Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kolar
The Kotilingeshwara temple is considered to be one of the most famous temples in Karnataka. The temple is situated in a small village called Kammasandra in the Kolar district and is famed for housing the tallest and largest Shiva Linga statue in Asia. Every year close to 2 lakh devotees visit this temple and mostly on Maha Shivaratri, special offerings are made to the Shiva Linga on this auspicious day.

Vidyashankara Temple, Sringeri
Constructed in the memory of Guru Vidyashankara, the temple boasts of both Dravida and Hoysala style of architecture. The temples contain ruby images of Lord Srinivasa, Lord Venugopal and Nandi constructed from a large pearl. Several inscriptions describing the Vijayanagar emperors are seen across the temple and it is undoubtedly one of the best temples in Karnataka. The temple is easily accessible from all major cities via bus and train.

Badami Cave Temple
The Badami Cave Temple is situated in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka. It has been structured out of rocks and is a representation of the Badami Chalukya Architecture. There are four caves here; two which belong to Lord Vishnu, one to Lord Shiva and the other one to the great Mahavira of Jainism. These cave temples are one of the very first temples in the Deccan region and have shown their influence on the next generation constructions. Badami cave temples were recognized as the UNESCO World Heritage site and are filled with magnificent paintings, sculptures and giant stone figures.

Vitthala Temple, Hampi
One of the most ancient temples in Karnataka is that of the Vitthala temple situated in Hampi. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is a popular temple set amidst the ruins of Hampi. The Vitthala temple is popular for its musical monolithic pillars and the stone chariot. An important part of the ruins, it is one of the best UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India and one can reach the temple from Hospet Railway Station or Bangalore Airport.

Monkey Temple
The Monkey Temple is located in the Anjanadri Hill of Karnataka and is a dedication to Hanuman. This temple has a granite structure of this deity and right near it, the shrine of Lord Rama and his consort Sita is seen. This hill is believed to be the birth place of Lord Hanuman and getting a top can give you a beautiful view of the entire Hampi city. To reach the temple, you must take many steps, which can be quite strenuous if you are not prepared for it.