Kadamba architecture was a style of temple architecture founded by Mayurasharma in the 4th century AD in Karnataka, India Kadambas created new style of architecture which was the basis of the Hoysalas style of architecture, developed original school of sculpture, was the forerunner of series of South Indian sculptors. Many temples at Aihole, Badami and Hampi are built in Kadamba architectural style.
During 345 AD to 525 AD, the ancient royal dynasty of Karnataka, the Kadambas made early contribution to the Architecture of Karnataka and they are the originators.
The most prominent feature of Kadamba architecture was Shikara called Kadamba Shikara. The tower rises in steps without any decoration (pyramid shaped shikara)with pinnacle (Stupika or Kalasha) on top. The Kadamba temples vimana usually square in plan, the tower is pyramidal shape and constitutes a series of horizontal step stages decorated with uniform series of quadrangular vertical projections and covering vestibules attached to vimana, The stages are more numerous and less elevated, devoid of pavilion ornamentation.
Kadamba's architecture and sculpture contributed to the foundation of Chalukya-Hoysala style.
Lakshmi Devi temple, DoddagaddavalliBhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha Temple HalasiThe 5th century monuments at Halasi are the oldest surviving Kadamba structure. The most prominent feature is the Kadamba Shikara with a Kalasa on top. In Belgaum district, Hattikeshwara, Kalleshwara and Someshwara temples at Halasi and group of temples at Kadaroli illustrates the Kadamba architecture. The old Jain basadi containing a sanctum and a sukanasi at Halasi the most ancient stone temple in Karnataka. Kadamba architecture constituted an important link between the Shatavahanas, Pallavas and Chalukyas architecture. Kadamba architecture elements in Hoysala Architecture.
AiholeMany temples at Aihole including Ramlingesvara temple Complex, Badigergudi temple and small shrines at Durga temple complex, Tryambakeshwara temple complex, ruined temple at Mallikarjuna temple complex, shrines at Jyotirlinga temple complex, small temple at Hucchimalli temple complex, ruined temples Galaganatha temple complex and many temples along the Malaprabha River are built in Kadamba architectural (Shikhara) style.
BadamiKadamba style Mallikarjuna group of temples and Bhutanatha group of temples[2](temple on adjacent small hill top) at Badami.
HampiIncluding Jain temples and two Shiva temples and many ruined temples on Hemakuta hill at Hampi built in Kadamba style of architecture.
MahakutaThere are many shrines with Kadamba superstructure at Mahakuta including Bhimeshwara ling temple, newly renovated temple out side main temple complex.
BandalikeThere are many temples and Basadis at Bandalike (Bandalika), it is about 35 km from Shikaripura including Shantinath basadi, Sahasralinga temple and Someshwara threemurthy temples those are of Rastrakutas and Kadambas period, temples built in Kadamba style of architecture.
Belgaum districtKamala Narayana Temple, Degaon (Degamve / Devgram)The Ruined temple at Konnur is 4 km from Gokak falls.Kamala basadi at BelagaviBhutnath temple Torgal (Torgal Fort) near Munvalli in Belgaum district.Panchlingeshwara Temple Munavalli Belgaum district has Kadamba shikhara.Ramalingaeshwara temple at BailhongalThere are few ruined temples at Hooli with Kadamba shikhara.The ruined temple beside the river at Kadaroli has the Kadamba style shikara.Temples at Halasi and Ramtheerth temple a top of the hill near HalasiUttara Kannada districtIncluding Madhukeshwara temple and Parvati temple many other temples at Banavasi has Kadamba style architecture (Shikhara).Ratnatraya Basti at Bilgi a small village near Siddapura, Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.The 12th and 14th century AD Shankara Narayana temple [3] at Haliyur and Venkataramana Swamy temple [4] at Muttinkere near Sonda in Sirsi taluk of Uttarkannada district.Mallikarjuna Temple at Haliyal.Hassan districtYoga Narasimha temple at Holalu in Hassan districtThe Kadamba Bettada Byreshwara Shiva temple built in black stone near Hanbal a hill station of Sakleshpur (in Western Ghats) in Hassan district.The Kadamba style Keerthinarayana temple [5] is at Heragu in Hassan district.Gadag districtThe old Jain temple at Lakshmeshwara has Kadamba shikara.Trilingeshwara temple at Hosur in Gadag districtNarasimha temple Gadag, veera narayana temple complex GadagHaveri districtThe Kere Someshwara Temple at Kalakeri in Hangal taluk of Haveri district, is in Kadamba style architecture (Shikhara).Basavann Temple in the Chaudayyadanapura Mukteshwara temple complex, Haveri District.Narasimha temple Narasapura near Chaudayyadanapura, Haveri District.Veerabhadra temple Hale Honatti in Ranebennur taluk of Haveri districtChikmagalur districtThe Kadamba style Bhairaveshwara Temple at Bhairapur, 22 km from Mudigere (in western ghats) in Chikmagalur district near to Kukke Subramanya.Prasanna Rameshwara Temple Devarunda, Mudigere in Chikmagalur districtMalahanikareshvara, Bhavani temples shringeri.Other parts of KarnatakaThe 12th century AD Shiva temple at Udri Shimoga [6] built in Kadamba style architecture.Mallikarjuna Temple and Neelakanteshwara Temple, KalasiTryambakeshwara temple (Trikutachala) with Kadamba Shikhara at Kavital in Manvi taluk in Raichur district.Jain temple [7] at Brahmagiri hill in Chitradurga district.Other parts of IndiaMaharashtraPanchaganga Temple at Kolhapur built in Kadamba style.Mahabaleshwar Temple, Krishnai Temple Mahabaleshwar in MaharashtraKaneri math kadamba style is in Karveer tehsil in Kolhapur district in MaharashtraAndhra PradeshTemples at Srisailam built during Vijayanagara empire (by Harihara Raya) has Kadamba Shikhara.Papanasi group of temples at Alampur in Andhra Pradesh are built in Kadamba style architecture.Chaya Someshwara temple at Panagal in Nalgonda.The Uma Maheshwara temple at Hosagunda in Sagar taluk of Shimoga district.Aghoreshwara Temple at IkkeriLate Hoysala Trikutachala temple built in granite has Kadamba Nagara shikhara.The Eshwara Temple at Malali (Holenarasipura Taluk) in Hassan district in Karnataka, an early Hoysala structure with Kadamba Nagara style shikara.Lakshmi Devi temple, Doddagaddavalli built by Hoysala.Mahadev Temple, Tambdi SurlaAnanta Vasudeva TempleChampakesvara Siva TempleLingaraja TempleMangalesvara Siva TemplePurvesvara Siva TempleRajarani TempleYameshwar TempleMahavinayak TempleBaladevjew Temple
