Top 35 Ancient and Historical Temples of Karnataka

Karnataka State has many unique temples known for architecture from the Hoysala Empire. The most famous temples of Karnataka state also include Annapoorneshwari Temple Hornadu, Kuruvathi Basaveshwara temple, Galageshwar Shiva Temple,Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple, Murudeshwara Temple, Aanjaneya Temple near Anegundi,Marikamba Temple Sagar.

Most famous temples of Karnataka state are Hasanamba temple, Jenukallu Siddeshwara Temple,Gomatheswara at Shravanabelagola, Mahabaleshwar Temple at Gokarna, Chamundeshwari Devi Temple at Mysore,Navagraha Jain Temple at Hubli, Markandeshwara temple,Mookambika Devi Temple at Kollur,Guddattu Mahaganapathi Temple,Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple, Srikanteshwara Temple at Nanjangud, Keshava Temple at Kaginele, Chandramouleshwara Temple at Hubli,Sadashiva Temple at Nuggehalli, Shambhulinga Temple at Kundgol, Anegundi heritage destination near Hampi, Keladi Lord Rameshwara temple Sagar, Sri Krishna Temple at Udupi and Kadri Manjunatha Temple at Mangaluru.

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.

Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu

Hoysaleswara Temple of Halebidu is most well known for its sculptures and dancing images. The temple and complex is a must visit place in Karnataka state along with Chennakeshava temple at Belur.

Chennakeshava Temple, Belur

Chennakeshava Temple at Belur is the most favored tourist destinations in Karnataka state and one of the heritage temple in India. The marvelous temple built on the banks of the Yagachi river and have been proposed for world heritage sites.

Vidyashankara Temple, Sringeri

Vidyashankara Temple at Sringeri is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known for magnificent architecture and beautifully built entirely out of carved stone. Sringeri Sharada Peetham is located on the banks of the Tunga river in Chikkamagalur district.

Bhutanatha Temple, Badami

Bhutanatha Temple at Badami is part of the Bhutanatha group of temples and a sandstone shrines dedicated to Bhutanatha. Badami Cave Temples are one of the most famous example of Indian rock cut architecture,located in Badami town of Bagalkot district.

Durga Temple, Aihole

Durga Temple at Aihole is part of a pending world heritage site, located in Aihole in the Bagalkot district. The historic temple complex is a popular tourist spot in north Karnataka.

Mallikarjuna Temple, Pattadakal

Mallikarjuna Temple at Pattadakal is part of the Pattadakal group of heritage monuments and important tourist place in Karnataka. Pattadakal has list of historical temples such as Sangameshwara Temple,Virupaksha Temple,Mallikarjuna Temple and Kashi Vishwanatha Temple.

Kedareshvara Temple, Balligavi

Kedareshvara Temple at Balligavi is one of the lesser known temples of Hoysala in Karnataka,located in the town of Balligavi. The temple is listed as one of the protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Amruteshwara Temple, Annigeri

Amruteshwara Temple at Annigeri was the first temple made of soapstone. The Amruteshwara Temple is a large and black stone temple supported by 76 pillars and carvings figures on the walls.

Siddhesvara Temple, Haveri

Siddhesvara Temple at Haveri is well known for the many sculptures of Hindu deities on the wall and built of soapstone. The temple is one of the most popular Chalukyan temples in Haveri.

Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi

Veera Narayana Temple at Belavadi was built during Hoysala Empire in a village in Belavadi. This is a Vaishnava temple and a must visit place near the famous temple towns of Belur and Halebidu.

Nagareswara Temple, Bankapur

Nagareshvara Temple at Bankapura is a pride of place in Karnataka architectural, located in the Haveri district. The temple was built in honor of the Hindu god Shiva and a protected as a monument by India.

Amrutesvara Temple, Amruthapura

Amrutesvara Temple at Amruthapura is built as Hoysala architecture with circular carvings on outer wall. The temple is well known for sculptor and architect and has features similar to the Veera Narayana Temple of Belavadi.

Galageshwar Temple, Galaganath

Galageshwara Temple is situated along the Tungabhadra river in the Haveri district of Karnataka. The Galageshwar temple is best example of the Chalukya style of architecture.

Nanneshwara Temple, Lakkundi

Nanesvara Temple at Lakkundi is protected as a monument of national importance in Karnataka state, located near by the ornate Kasivisvesvara temple. Lakkundi is also noted for its step wells,Brahma Jinalaya and Kashivishvanatha Temple.

Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu

Lakshminarayana Temple at Hosaholalu is known for sculptures and architecture. The temple is a splendid example of the Hoysala Empire and another master piece of Hoysala art.

Kedareshwara Temple, Halebidu

Kedareshwara Temple at Halebidu is located at very close distance away from the famous Hoysaleswara Temple and protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura

Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura was built by Soma under Hoysala king Narasimha. The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture in India.

Kasivisvesvara Temple, Lakkundi

Kasivisvesvara Temple at Lakkundi is one of the most ornate temples in the Gadag region of Karnataka. Lakkundi is the most famous temple town of in Gadag district.

Someshwara Temple, Lakshmeshwara

Someshwara Temple at Lakshmeshwara is a historic town with many important heritage temples. The temple complex with three main entrances is surrounded by high walls with the traditional structures.

Brahmeshvara Temple, Kikkeri

Brahmeshvara Temple at Kikkeri is a protected monument under the Karnataka state,located in the town of Kikkeri of Mandya district. The unique design and decorative features of Brahmeshvara temple is a must see hertiage place in Karnataka.

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna

Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangapatna is dedicated to the Hindu god Ranganatha, located on an island in the river Kaveri. The temple is part of the Pancharanga Kshetrams and one of the five important pilgrimage sites along the river Kaveri.

Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindanahalli

Panchalingeshwara Temple at Govindanahalli means five linga temple of Lord Shiva, constructed during the Hoysala empire. The temple is a protected monument in the state and take care by Archaeological Survey of India.

Kalleshwara Temple, Hire Hadagali

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Located in the town of Hire Hadagali. Kalleshwara Temple at Hire Hadagali is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Trikuteshwara Temple, Gadag

Trikuteshwara Temple at Gadag is a famous carved temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple along with Saraswati temple has ornate pillars with sculpture and carved figures.

Mukteshwara Temple, Chaudayyadanapura

Mukteshwar Temple at Chaudayyadanapura is a single cella temple in Jakkanachari style and has great artistic value. The temple is a jewel of architecture and one of the most popular monuments of Northern Karnataka.

Aghoreshwara Temple, Ikkeri

Aghoreshwara Temple at Ikkeri is a large structure built of granite, situated in Sagara taluk. The temple has carvings and sculptures on the stone walls of the temple.

Kalleshvara Temple, Bagali

Kalleshvara Temple at Bagali is dedicated to Hindu god Lord Shiva, near to Harpanahalli town. Another famous Kalleshvara Temple is located in Ambali.

Mahadeva Temple, Itagi

Mahadeva Temple at Itagi in the Koppal district is about 20 km from famous temple town of Lakkundi. The Mahadeva Temple at Itagi and Amruteshwara Temple at Annigeri are share the same architectural components.

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, Chikkaballapura

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva,located in Nandi village at the base of Nandi Hills. The temple and complex is a protected monument and one of the oldest temples of Karnataka.

Someshwara Temple, Kolar

Lord Someshwara Temple in Kolar town of Karnataka is dedicated to Lord Shiva and a monument of national importance. The temple is now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Dodda Basappa Temple, Dambal

Doddabasappa Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the wall of shrine has decorative architrave with space for images. The temple has two doorways and a big bull Nandi statue.

Banashankari Temple, Amargol

Banashankari Temple at Amargol is ancient temple dedicated to Banashankari,located in between Dharwad and Hubli. The temple is now belongs to Archaeological Survey of India.

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Nuggehalli is the best example of Hoysala architecture, built around the same time of another famous Sadashiva temple of Nuggehalli and decorated with fine sculptures adorning the walls.

Chandramouleshwara Temple, Hubli

Chandramouleshwara Temple at Unkal is a must visit place in Karnataka near the Unkal Lake. The temple is located in the Hubli Dharwad area and famous for beautiful natural scene,picnic spot and old temple of Chandramouleshwara.