List of Names & Information on Famous Hindu Temples in Karnataka

Here you can find list of names and information (like history, facts & architecture) on ancient / old Hindu temples in Karnataka, India. These famous temples in Karnataka are most visited and most sought after best tourist places. You can also find photos of Karnataka temples / mandir.

Bangalore Temples, Karnataka »

Chennakeshava Temple in Bangalore is a very ancient Vishnu temple believed to be built by the Arjuna of the Mahabharata period. It has a long standing history from the ancient times and was finally restructured in the Vijayanagara empire time. The present temple is the architectural marvel of the Vijayanagara architecture. The main deity of this temple is the Maha Bhagavan Vishnu. This temple is well known for its history and stone architecture.

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple has the idols of Lord Shiva's sect. Many pilgrims come here to witness the unique day of Winter Solicit, which is also known as the Makara Sankranthi in the Hindu calendar that falls on 14th January of every year. The divines of this day have a spectrum-beam of lights entering this cave, where the main deity of Linga is placed. This sun's ray passes under the main arch of this temples and flashes on a granite grill window of this main temple.

Sri Big Bull Temple at Dodda Ganeshana Gudi is 477 year old unique temple built for the animal guard of Lord Shiva. The animal guard or the transporter bull of Lord Shiva is familiarly called as the Nandhi. This is a sacred bull for the Hindus in India. It's found in all most all of the Hindu temples in small miniatures and in sculptures. This bull statue may be the welcome stone found in many of the entrance of Hindu temples. Its bigger statues are always associated with Shiva temple, were its size is little bit large and high compared to what seen in other temples.

Ghati Subramanya Temple in Doddaballapur is an important Hindu temple in Bangalore City. It is one of the three ancient temples of Subramaniya Swamy found here. It has a long standing history and was rebuild by Sandur Rulers in the medieval period. This is the area in Bangalore were the peoples from Tamil Nadu has made settlements. This temple is also found in the Dravidian model. This is a great pilgrim place for Vaishniviks and for all other sects of Hindu peoples.

Shri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple is 800 years old beautiful Hindu temple located in the heart of the Bangalore City. This temple was the landmark in the medieval times for Bagalaru. This was the richest temple before independent India. Many dynasties have granted jewels and lands to this temple. The Karagostvam is the annual festival conducted here and as per latest record more than 5 lakhs pilgrims visited for this festival. This is also famously known as the Bangalore Karaga.

Sri Radha Krishna Temple or the ISCON temple in Bangalore is an ultra modern Hindu temple built in India. ISCON means International Society for Krishna Consciousness; they are the trustee of this internationally acclaimed lord Krishna temple. This temple promotes Vedic studies and spiritualism. ISCON is also involved in many social works all over India. It has a daily record of more than 10,000 visitors including the foreigners from the rest of the world.

Sri Shani Mahatma Temple is a renowned Hindu temple of Shani Bhagavan in south India. It is mostly visited by those Hindu peoples who are affected by the Shani Graha (Saturn Planet) in ones horoscope. While making the birth chart by an astrologer's, he specially mentioned about the Shani Dosha (Sin or Curse) occurring over this horoscope by Shani Graha. It is mostly influenced from 5 to 15 years in once life time. During this Shanis Dasha, many negative impacts will be happen in personal life as per the specified period of time.

Venugopalaswamy Temple at Devanahalli is a popular Maha Vishnu temple for the Hindus. The peculiarity of this temple is that it has two deities of Maha Vishnu in standing position, since Vishnu's idol are mostly fond on a serpent in sleeping position. Even though this is a small temple but it is also well known for its architectural marvel. This temple is an enceinte place of worship for the Banglorites and also for the Vishnavik's of south India. It is located near Devanahalli Town, Bangalore City of Karnataka State in India.

Bagalkot Temples, Karnataka »

The Durga Temple found here have beautiful sculptor of Durga Devi killing a demon named Mahisha. This temple is known for the interior stone art works, which have spectacular looks. The Ravana Phadi is unique cave temples carved for Lord Shiva. This temple has three entrances and have many beautiful carved pillars in this man made caves.

Badami Cave Temples are the magnificent rock cut monument in India. This temple is listed in the UNSECO world heritage site in Karnataka, certified in the year 1987. This temple is looking like a heavenly abode of Hindu gods and goddesses in these caves. This rock cut temple is a finest example of fusion architecture carved by the Chalukayans, in the 6th to 8th century AD. The great king Pulikesi I and his son was the main persons behind this cave temples.

Banashankari Amma Temple is a famous ancient Hindu worship place located near Cholachagudda, Badami Town, Bagalkot District of Karnataka State in India. It is known to be a 6th century built temple by the Chalukayas. It was a family ditty for the Chalukayas Dynasty for many centuries here. This temple was expanded by the Marathas and the Vijanagara Empire. It has the female deity of Shankari, which is an incarnation of Parvathi Devi. This temple has the splendid sculpture of this Devi sitting on a Lion.

Mahakuta group of Temples is a famous ancient Hindu shrine located in the Mahakuta Village, Bagalkot District of Karnataka State in India. These are stone temples built by the Badami Kings in-between the 6th and 7th century AD. These temples are one of this finest works of Chalukeyan Architecture ever built in their period. This group of temples is the largest temple in Bagalkot with a common presiding deity of Lord Shiva in these temples. It is a core worship place for the Shivik sect of Hinduism.

Sri Sangameshwara Temple near Kudalasangama is a renowned Hindu river side temple and a famous heritage tourist site at Kudala Sangama, Bijapur Town, Bagalkot District of Karnataka State in India. This temple is founded by the Lingayath Community and managed by the Basva Trust. This temple is also a great pilgrim place for the Hindus. It is the most popular and beautiful temple in Bagalgot District for temple architecture and for its nearby scenic locations.

Belgaum Temples, Karnataka »

Shri Veerabhadra Temple at Gudachi is a famous Shiva temple. This is an ancient temple, which came under the patronage of many Kingdom of this area. This temple was partly added up its new structure in phases of time. This temple is known for its architecture and the famous Jatre conducted here annually know as the Gudachi Fare. This temple is an important pilgrim place for the Hindu peoples. Many devotees visit here on all important days related to Lord Shiva and visit here with practicing lot of self discipline before visiting this temple.

Yellamma Devi Temple is a historical and socio-religious temple located at Saundatti Town, Belgaum District of Karnataka State in India. Locally this temple is called as the Renuka Devi. This temple is famously known for practicing the Deva Dasi customs from the ancient times. This is a customs and it is not practiced in India after independence. The story behind this customs was followed by a sect of Hindu peoples who offer a girl child to this temple.

Bidar Temples, Karnataka »

Narasimha Jhira Cave Temple at Bidar is an ancient cave temple of Lord Narasimha. This is one of the rear cave temple to have perennial cave water present inside this caves throughout the year. It will be an adventure experience to walk around this cave temple with a waist level water to reach its main Garbha Graha. It is beautifully located at Bidar District of Karnataka State in India.

Papnash Shiva Temple in Bidar is an important ancient temple of the Hindu belief. Lord Shiva in Linga form is the main deity of this temple. It is located in a beautiful valley and nearby a natural spring pool. This is an historic and very ancient temple of Hinduism. This is a great pilgrim place to wash away the sins of devotees by taking a holy dip in this temple pond popularly known as the Papnasha Thirtha. It is divinely located on the hills slops of Manjira river valley of Bidar District of Karnataka State in India.

Chamarajanagar Temples, Karnataka »

Chamarajeshwara Temple is an historical Hindu temple built in Chamarajanagar District in Karnataka State in India. It is a famous temple for the followers of Hinduism. The lord Shiva is the primary deity and this is found in the Linga type of sculptor. This is the biggest Shiva temple in Chamarjanagar and well known for its Car festival. This temple attracts many Hindu pilgrims on Shiva Rathri festival. This is a great place for pilgrim and also for peoples who are passionate for art and structures.

Sri Male Mahadeshwara Swamy Temple or the MM hill temple is a famous pilgrim center in Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka State in India. This is uniquely located at 914 meters above the sea level on the MM Hill's which is having many hill locks and beautiful valleys surrounded with forest covers. This is a historic temple and is nearly 700 years old. This temple was built by a well known Zamin named Kuruba Gowda. Previously this was a famous temple for the tribal peoples living around these hills.

Chikballapur Temples, Karnataka »

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple is a splendid Hindu stone temple located on the foothills of Nandhi Hills in Chikballapur district 60 km from Bangalore City of Karnataka State in India. It is a local temple for Banglorites and many marriage ceremonies are conducted here for its pride of this temple's beautiful carved mandapa (porch). It is an ancient temple known for more than 1000 years here. It was a patron temple for Cholas kingdom, The Hoysalyas and the Vijayanagara Empire.

Chikmagalur Temples, Karnataka »

Annapoorneshwari Temple at Hornadu is a holy place for the Hindus since from the ancient times. Once it was a remote temple in the forests and from last 5 centuries it's became an important pilgrim place and a religious tourist spot in Karnataka. This is a beautiful temple located on the Western Ghats of Karnataka. This temple is uniquely placed around green pasture land, forest, hills and on the river banks of Badhra. This temple place is very grace full to look in the monsoon rains.

Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham at Sringeri is a famous ancient temple of Sharadhamba Devi. It is located on the banks of Holy River named the Tunga, which is near Sringeri Town of Chickmagalur District of Karnataka state in south-India. This temple was found by the great saint of India, known as the Adhi Shankara. He placed the Sandalwood Idol of Devi Sharadhamba on this river bank and later it developed as an important pilgrim place. This temple is managed by the Adhi Shankara Math and is formed as a trust here conducting many social services.

One of the places of attraction in Karnataka has been Vidyashankara temple which is situated in Sringeri, a hill station. The temple was established in the year 1338 A.D. It has been constructed completely by stone which makes the monument exceptional in its appearance. It was established by Vidyaranya in the commemoration of Guru Vidyashankara and the deity present in the temple consists of Shiva Linga which has been made over the Samadhi.

Coorg Temples, Karnataka »

Bhagandeshwara Temple is a famous Hindu pilgrim place located at Bhagamandala Town, Coorg District of Karnataka in India. The Lord Shiva is the main deity of this temple. This is also a holly and sacred place to perform rituals for the deceased person in the Triveni Sangamam. This is meeting point of three rivers known as the Kanike, Cauvery and Sujyoth. A dip in this river and worshiping at this temple is considered to be holly by the Hindu peoples.

Dakshina Kannada Temples, Karnataka »

Bhagavathi Temple at Kudroli is famous ancient Hindu temple of Shri Cheerumbha Bhagavathi. The word Bhagavathi is meant to addressing a women God in Kanada and the main deity of this temple is Shri Cheerumbha. The women God is also called as Devi here. This temple is an incarnation of Durga or Kali, who is known to destroy the demons on earth by the mythic belief of the Hindu religion. This temple is worshiped by all sects of Hinduism. It is a great pilgrim destination for women's especially.

Kukke Subramanya Temple is a famous temple to get rid of Kala Sarpa Dosha in south India, according to the Hindu beliefs. This is an ancient temple beautifully located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka District. This temple is of foremost importance of peoples affected by the Dosha's (Sin's) of Sarpa (Serpent), Naga, Khuja, Kala Sarpa and infertility issues in married couples. It is really a divine place and is the only temple in the south India for Snake worship.

Maha Ganapathi Temple at Sharavu is the famous Ganapathi temple and a great Hindu pilgrim center in south Kanada region. It is located at Sharavu Village, City Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka State in India. The temple is widely known and is visited by huge number of devotees from the state and well as from various cities and states of India.

Mahalingeshwara Temple near Puttur is a renowned Shiva pilgrim center in Karnataka. This is an ancient temple having a long standing history for more than 1000 years in developing the socio and cultural values of this region. It is the most celebrated temple of Puttur, since its foundation. It has a record of more than 10 Lakhs visitors in a year to this temple. It is located at Puttur Town, Dakshin kannda District of Karnataka State in India.

Rajarajeshwari Temple at Polali is a renounced Hindu temple in south Karnataka. This temple is also known as the Porala Devi as per the ancient records of this place history. This is an ancient temple and as per temple inscription found here, this was built by King Suratha who ruled this region a 1000 years back. Later this temple was many times developed by its following rulers of this province. It was also a patron temple for many Kingdoms who ruled this region. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Raja Rajeshwari.

Shri Manjunatheshwara Temple located at Kadri is an ancient Hindu temple. It's now 1046 years old and a very important temple of Lord Shiva in south kanada. The Lord Shiva is called as Manjunatha in this temple since it's belong to Shiva pattern as per the Puranas. It has a long standing history from the 10th century AD by the emergence of the Buddhist religion in these regions. The Vishnaviks sect in Hindu religion adore this temple a lot and visit here on all important dates related to the Shiva ideology.

Sri Anantha Padmanabha Temple at Kudupu is an incarnation of Maha Vishnu Baghavan as per Hindu religion. This is a famous temple for lord Padhnabha and a pilgrim cum tourist place. This temple is also an abode for the Bana Devi, which is a goddess of Serpents. It also houses few of its sub deities of god and goddess related to this main deity in this temple complexes. The most distinct feature of this temple is its temple pond and the Sarpa Sankala. This temple is beautifully located in the base of small hill ranges and by a river side.

Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple at Kudroli is a famous Hindu temple built for Lord Shiva. This is a century old temple, built by the well known Saint, Sri Narayana Guru of Kerala State. This is a very colorful temple to see in Mangalore District. There are many colorful statues of Durga Devi kept in a large Mandapa in side this temple. This temple is famous for providing free food knows as the Anna Dhana since the temple stared functioning. Its festival seasons are visited by lakhs of devotees.

Hassan Temples, Karnataka »

Chennakesava Temple is an immense ancient Hindu temple of Lord Shiva. It was the great grandeur of Hoysala Dynasty in the 12th century AD. This temple is listed in the UNSECO temple site of India. This temple is functioning as usual with poojas and rituals, even though it is a protected monument. Many tourists come here to see the vast architectural patterns. Many pilgrims come here from south India, in the temple season times. It is beautifully located at Belur Town of Hasan District in Karnataka State of India.

Hoysaleswara Temple or the Dwarasamudra is a magnificent architectural structure located in Halebidu Town of Hassan District of Karnataka-State in South-India. This is a marvelous Hindu temple which was built by the great king named the Vishnuvardhana, who belongs to Hoslya Dynasty in the 12th century AD. This temple is the masterpiece work of the Hoysala architecture. He dedicates this temple to Lord Shiva. In the 14th century, this temple was looted by the Islamic rulers from the North India.

Kolar Temples, Karnataka »

Kashi Vishweshwara Temple at Antaragange is a famous hill spot and a pilgrim center for the Hindus. It is beautifully located on the Shathashrunga Mountain's in Kolar District of Karnataka State in India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple and its pond built on a natural spring are known as the Antaragange, which literally means the deep Ganges in Kanada language. The specialty of this temple is the spring water flowing out of the Nandhi's (Bull) mouth; the Nandhi is a sacred animal of lord Shiva.

Mandya Temples, Karnataka »

Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple is a famous hill temple at Melkote in the Yadgiri hills of Mandya District of Karnataka State in India. It is a very beautiful temple known for its architecture on this rocky hill. This temple has the main idol of Narayana, who is an incarnation of Vishnu Baghavan. This is a Hindu pilgrim center and mostly visited by the Vishnu believes of the Hindu sects know as the Vishnavaites.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is an ancient Hindu Temple located in the heart of the Sri Rangapatinam in the Mandya District of Karnataka State in India. This temple is more than 1000 years old which is initially built by the Hoysala Empire in the 10th century AD. This was further expanded and built by the Vijaya Nagara Empire in the medieval times and final touches were made by the Islamic ruler named Hyder Ali of the Mysore kingdom.

Mysore Temples, Karnataka »

Chamundi Temple is a hilltop temple built on the Chamundi Hills in Mysore. It is a landmark of Mysore city. This is a godess temple were many devotees come here on pilgrimage. It is famously called as the Chamundieshwari Temple locally. It is an ancient temple built in the Dravidian style in many phase of times. It was once the tutelary deity of the Mysore Maharajas. The Dasahara Festival is celebrated grandly here. This temple conducts its annual festival named Topostuv, which attracts many people here.

Srikanteshwara Temple also known as Nanjundeshwara Temple in Nanjangud is an ancient important Shiva Temple. This temple is famously known as the Shivalayam of Najangud in Mysore District of Karnataka State in India. The name Nanjangud is also came from the Temple's main deity. The skin of lord Shiva became blue color, when he drank the poison in the making process of ambrosia in the ancient times. Nanj in Kanada means poison and the drinker of poisons place is called as the Nanjangud.

Ramanagara Temples, Karnataka »

Sri Kabbalamma Temple is a famous Hindu Goddess temple found in the Kabbalu Village. Its main deity is Sri Kabbalamma and believed to be a powerful goddess in the Hindu religious beliefs and customs. This temple is located in a remote village and was lesser known temple in that region. It came to light in the recent times only. But this temple was the favorite worship place for the entire villagers.

Udupi Temples, Karnataka »

Mookambika Temple at Kollur is a very significant Hindu pilgrimage temple in south Kanada. This is also known as the Devi Shetra or the Goddess temple. This temple is well known for serving free food daily to its devotees and poor peoples. This practice of serving free food is known from the ancient times. This temple is an ancient one but looks very contemporary in the present state. It is beautifully located in the Western Ghats mountain ranges n the lower hill side.

Sri Brahmi Durgaparameshwari Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Kamalashile Village, Kundapur Town, Udupi District of Karnataka State in India. It is a famous goddess temple of Durgaparameshwari, who is an incarnation of Parvathi Devi. This temple is splendidly located near the banks of Kubja River and with the dense forest cover of the Western Ghats. Many pilgrims come here for the Durga Darshana and offer prayers and get blessing from this goddess.

Sri Krishna Matha is a renowned Krishna temple in Udupi of Karnataka State. This is an ancient Hindu temple built in many stages of time. The main structure was erected in the 6th century AD. It has a unique story behind its formation. This is also a Math, were devotees are allowed to stay in the nearby complexes. It conducts daily poojas and this temple is daily visited by its local residence and by tourist.

Sri Venkataramana Temple of Karkala also known as Padutirupathi is a renowned pilgrim spot for the followers of Hindu religion. This temple is also well known as the Thirupathi of the west. It nearly 600 years old and has a very unique temple architecture in it. This is also a wealthy temple of the south Kanada region, it has many jewels for its deities, which are worn at festival times and look very glorious on these deities.

Uttara Kannada Temples, Karnataka »

Mahabaleshwar Temple at Gokarna is an ancient Hindu temple built by Mayura Sharma, who ruled this region in the 4th century AD and belonged to the great Kadamba Dynasty. He was a prominent Hindu ruler and it was his effort to make this as Dakshina Kashi of the south. He was a great believer in the Hindu mythology and contributed his wealth and his self interest to develop this temple during his rule.

Marikamba Temple of Sirsi is a famous Durga temple of Hindu religion orientation. It is now a 326 years old temple, which has a vast importance of pilgrims and tourist visiting here yearly. It is also known as the Doddamma Temple locally. The main deity of this temple is a female deity known as Devi. It has various names and called in the Dravidian regions as Amman, Kali, Yellamma and Mariamma.

Shri Ganapathi Temple in Idagunji is one of the most famous Ganapathi Temple of South India. This is a Hindu temple with main deity of Lord Ganapathi. It has a record of more than 1 million visitors in a year. This great temple is located in Idagunji city on the banks of Sharvathi River in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state in India.