Do you know the state is famous for its coffee and has some of the most beautiful and iconic temples in India? Don’t worry, we’ll take you on a virtual tour of 15 famous historical temples in Karnataka.
The southern Indian state of Karnataka is home to some of the oldest and most well-known temples in the world. Some prominent temples are the ideal fusion of Indian tradition and brilliant architecture.
The historical temples of Karnataka are full of stories about the state’s rich culture. You can explore these stories through the detailed carvings and images of gods and goddesses on the temple walls.
Explore the Most Famous Historical Temples in Karnataka through This Blog
The state has the extreme potential to make your spiritual trip unforgettable. So, grab your filtered coffee and start our virtual tour of the famous temples of Karnataka through this blog.
1. Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Shri Virupaksha, one of the most famous historical temples, was built by Lakkan Dandesha, a noble under Deva Raya II, the ruler of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, to honor Lord Shiva. This famous temple in Karnataka is a true reflection of the rich culture, engineering, and architectural genius of the people of the past
The Virupaksha temple has great religious significance as it has mythological tales for your curious mind, and the atmosphere around it will provide peace to your spiritual self as well. Due to its grandness and cultural representation with a pinch of fascinating past, the Virupaksha temple got a place on UNSECO‘s world heritage list too.
You should visit the temple during the Maha Shivaratri, Chariot Festival, and Hampi Utsav to make some amazing lifelong memories.
2. Keshava Temple
One of the notable Hoysala architectural landmarks in Karnataka is the historic Keshava temple, which is a mirror of the artistic brilliance of the era.
To honor Lord Vishnu, the famous temple of Karnataka was built in the 13th century. The outer walls of the historic temple are adorned with detailed sculptures showcasing various mythological stories.
Well, the temple attracts devotees as well as art lovers from all over the world, but unfortunately, the main idol of Lord Keshava is missing, and the Janardhana and Venugopala idols are damaged.
You should at least once visit this beautifully constructed temple to witness the sheer talent of sculptors of the past!
3. Gomateshwara Temple, Shravanbelagola
Do you know that Shravanelagola is a city of temples and ponds? Shravanelagola is home to the iconic temple of Jainism, Gomateshwara temple.
The huge figure of Gomateshwara, also known as Bahubali, is 58 feet tall, making it one of the largest in the world. The idol represents leaving all worldly desires behind and living a life in search of divinity.
Stories behind the idol say that Gomateshwara is the second son of the first Tirthankara, Adinath, who abandoned his kingdom to become a Digambara saint.
‘Mahamastakabhisheka’ is an auspicious occasion, organized every 12 years, and thousands of devotees gather at the historic temple to celebrate it to the fullest.
After climbing a flight of 500 steps in the temple, you can experience the serene views of the nearby hills and plains.
4. Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
Karnataka’s famous and most visited temple, Udupi Sri Krishna, is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Madhavacharya was the man behind the construction of this historic temple in the 13th century.
According to the folktales, it is said that Krishna worshipper Kanakadasa was denied entrance, but as a devoted worshipper, he kept praying, and Lord Krishna was finally impressed with his devotion. He turned his face in that direction, and a small hole was formed in the wall. Finally, Kanakadas was able to get a glimpse of Balakrishna.
The hole in the wall is now a window divided into nine squares known as Navagraha Kindi.
Like other temples in Karnataka, the temple has a pond and a chariot in front of it.
This famous temple in Karnataka celebrates a biannual festival, the Udupi Paryaya Utsava. One should partake in the celebrations to feel the devotion and surrealism during the festival.
5. Badami Cave Temple
Another famous historical temple of Karnataka is Badami Cave Temple. Known for its brilliant architecture and detailed carvings, the historical temple is also a significant religious site.
The temple was built in the 6th century under the Chalukya dynasty in Dravidian style to honor Hindu deities Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Mahavira.
The caves have beautifully sculpted pillars, rock-cut sculptures, and detailed carvings showcasing mythological stories and celestial beings.
If you are an art, culture, and spiritual enthusiast, the Badami Cave Temple is a must-visit historical temple in Karnataka.
6. Vittal Temple
The notable Vitthala Temple is a masterpiece of Vijayanagara architecture, dedicated to Lord Vitthala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The exquisite stone carvings, detailed craftsmanship, and iconic musical pillars of the historic temple make it a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The beauty of the temple and the spiritual atmosphere around it attract visitors from all around the globe. You can’t afford to miss this beautiful temple when visiting Karnataka.
Also read: – https://itihaaskikhoj.in/11-historical-temples-of-south-india/
7. Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna
The famous Mahabaleshwar temple of Karnataka was built by King Mayura Sharma to honor the form of Lord Shiva, Lord Mahabaleshwar, around the 4th century. The historical temple has great religious and spiritual significance.
We can also say that the temple is a storybook of historical stories and is associated with the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
This historic temple has shrines to Thamira Gowri, Ganapati, Chandikeshwara, Gokaneshwari, Adi Ganapati, and Dattatreya. It is a must for the devotees to take a bath in the seawater before entering the temple to offer their prayers.
8. Durga Temple
A trip to Karnataka is incomplete without visiting the famous Durga Temple. This historical temple was built in the 7th century under the Chalukya dynasty to worship the goddess Durga.
The temple’s exterior is adorned with beautiful carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, including tales from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
The historic temple has a beautiful idol of Goddess Durga inside it that you won’t be able to take your eyes off! The powerful aura of the goddess Durga will heal your soul’s wound and provide you with the strength to deal with life.
From my personal experience, I can guarantee you that you’ll regret not visiting the temple! So, add this famous temple in Karnataka to your must-visit list right now!
9. Sringeri Mutt, Sringeri
Sringeri Mutt, or Sringeri Sharda Peetham, is one of the Advaita Vedanta Mathas founded by Adi Shankara in the 8th century. Situated on the bank of the Tunga River, this iconic temple holds immense spiritual as well as historical significance.
The famous Sringeri Mutt has two major temples, one is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the other to Devi Saraswati.
The Vidyashankara Temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva) is a blend of Hoysala and Vijayanagara styles of architecture that looks mesmerizing.
The main area of the temple houses a Shivalinga and also features idols of Vishnu-Lakshmi, Brahma-Saraswati, and Shiva-Parvati in different directions.
If you are on your spiritual journey, you must visit this historical temple in Karnataka to heal your inner self and be at peace.
10. Kukke Shri Subrahmanya Temple, Subramanya
The historical temple dedicated to Lord Kartikeya’s incarnation, Subrahmanyam, located in the village of Subrahmanya, has immense religious importance to the followers of Hinduism.
According to Hindu mythology, the serpent king, Vasuki, and other serpents prayed to the Lord when they were threatened by Garuda, a legendary bird-like creature.
If you are visiting the temple, take a holy bath in the Kumaradhara River, then enter the temple to seek blessings from the god Subramanya. Also, it is said that you can get rid of Sarpa Dosha by performing the sacred ceremony related to Sarpa Dosha in the historic temple.
The elegant architecture and serene backdrop of the temple will surely make your visit there an unforgettable experience!
11. Banashankari Amma Temple
The Banashankari Amma Temple is another notable Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Banashankari.
The historical temple, constructed in the 7th century under the Chalukya dynasty, holds great religious and historical significance.
The architecture of the famous temple showcases a unique blend of Dravidian and Nagara styles, with striking structures and beautiful carvings adorning its walls.
Visitors gather from all over the country to offer prayers and seek blessings from the goddess.
Do not miss visiting this temple during your trip to Karnataka.
12. Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kammasandra
Have you ever wondered about the tallest Shivalinga? The Kotilingeshwara temple in southern Karnataka is home to the tallest Shivalinga in Asia.
The historical temple was established in 1980 by Swamy Sambha Murthy with 1 crore shivalingas, resulting in the name of the temple, Kotilingeshwara temple.
Upon visiting the temple, you can see there is a water tank close to the Shiva sculpture, which is used by devotees for performing the Abhisheka ceremony. The compound of the famous temple has 11 other temples dedicated to different gods and goddesses.
You can also meditate in a meditation hall in a peaceful environment in order to feel peace and solace.
Moreover, the temple also has a marriage hall where about 20 weddings are performed weekly.
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13. Nimishamba Temple
The godess Nimishamba, who resolves problems in life, especially marriage issues, has a beautiful temple dedicated to her in Karnataka.
Nimishamba Temple is located near the River Kaveri, resulting in a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The local population visits the historic temple to seek the blessings of the goddess to overcome the hardships of life.
Nimishamba TempleIn Hindu mythology, Nimishmbha is none other than Parvati, the wife of Shiva.
The main festivals here that attract the most crowds of worshippers are ‘Nimishambha Jayanthi’ and ‘Vasavamba Jayanthi’. On full moon days, the environment of the temple turns divine as the priest performs special rituals, or poojas.
To experience pure divinity and solace, you should visit the iconic temple!
14. Kollur Mookambika Temple
When it comes to the historical temples in Karnataka, we can’t leave the Kollur Mookambika Temple out of the discussion. This famous Hindu pilgrimage site is dedicated to Goddess Mookambika and holds immense significance in Hindu mythology.
Also, it is believed to be one of the most sacred Shakti peethas in the country. The idol placed in Mookambika Temple is made from a combination of five metals: iron, gold, silver, lead, and copper.
The soothing surroundings of the temple, the divine presence, and the spiritual aura make Kollur Mookambika Temple one of the most visited Karnataka temples.
15. Amruteshwara Temple, Annigeri
The Amruteshwara Temple is an iconic religious site as well as a historical monument built in black stone under the Western Chalukyan Empire.
This historical temple was built in honor of Lord Shiva and attracts culture and spiritual seekers across the country.
The famous temple of Karnataka, Amruteshwara Temple, is the first monument in our country that is made from soapstone.
The temple is supported by 76 pillars, and the walls are adorned with exotic carvings of different mythological figures.
Words won’t do justice to the beauty of the Amruteshwara temple. You should visit the temple to witness its architectural brilliance.
check out our blog to explore the temples of Odisha: https://itihaaskikhoj.in/7-historical-temples-you-must-visit-in-odisha-a-spiritual-and-cultural-journey/
Conclusion
It is surreal how Karnataka’s richness has no bounds. A visit to the sacred temples will not only refresh your body and spirit but also help you think outside the box. The beautiful carvings or the extraordinary structures of the temples will make you more appreciative of art and life in general.
Thanks for sharing such beautiful sacred temples, i loved it, its very informative ❤️❤️
Very good information ,
This is the real beauty of Karnataka. Best temples to visit with family. Lovely information
Informative
I love this blog. Great info! Thank you so much!
Very informative article. Loved it.
Very informative
So nice
Very helpful blog with such detailed information on our religious heritage, thanks for sharing it.
Nice nd very informative blog .thanks for sharing, will be looking for more such blogs.
Very informative. As Indians we should feel proud of such Temples .Spirituality is the hallmark of Indians.
Great information about our spiritual heritage….
Nice and very important vlogs…. keep it up
खुश रहिए, सलामत रहिए,