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.
Shri Muttur Mahalakshmi Temple, Muttur Tq- Jamakhandi, Di- Bagalkot- 587119
Shri Male Mahadeshwara Temple, Mahadeshwara Betta, Chamarajanagara
Shri Shrikanteshwara Temple, Nanjundeshwara Temple
Shri Gunja Narasimhaswamy Temple, T.Narasipura, Mysuru
Shri Kadri Manjunatha Temple, Mangaluru
Shri Manjunatheshwara Temple, Dharmastala
Navagraha Jain Temple, Hubli
Shri Kalabhyraveshwara Temple( Adichunchanagiri Kshetra), Nagamangala, Mandya
Marikamba Temple, Sagar
Shri Agasthyeshwara Temple, T.Narasipura, Mysuru
Shri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Puttur
Shri Santhana Gopala Krisha Temple, Krishnapura, T.Narasipura Taluk, Mysuru
Mahatobar Shri Siddi Vinayaka Temple, Idagunji
Shri Mahaganapathi Temple, Sharavu
Shri Mangaladevi Temple, Mangaluru
Shri Subramanyeshwara Temple, Kukke Subramanya
Shri Rajarajeswari Temple, Polali
Shri Annapurneshwari Temple, Horanadu
Shri Mukambika Temple, Kolluru
Sri Brahmi Durgaparameshwari Temple, Kamalashile
Shri Durga Parameshwari Temple, Kateelu
Anegudde Shri Vinayaka Temple, Anegudde
Shri Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore
Shri Dharmarayaswamy Temple Bangalore
Gokarnanatheshwara Temple Kudroli, Mangaluru
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Temple, Bangalore
Sidhaganga Math, Tumkur
Someshwara Temple, Bengaluru
Sri Hasanamba Temple, Hassan
Sri Chennakesava Temple, Belur, Hassan
Sri Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu, Hassan
Sidharudha Math, Hubli
Padutirupathi Venkataramana Temple, Karkala
Renuka Yallamma Temple, Saundatti
Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami, an incarnation of Dattatreya.
Dattatreya Temple, Ganagapura
Marikamba Temple, Sirsi
Shri Maramma Temple, Shivanasamudra, Kollegala Taluku, Chamarajanagara
Chandragiri Hill, Shravanabelagola
Mahadev Temple, Gokarna
Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna
Murdeshwara Temple
Shri Rachappaji Temple, KR Nagara Taluku, Mysuru
Krishna Temple, Udupi
Shri Manteswamy Temple, Boppegowdanapura, Malavalli Taluk, Mandya
Shri Vaidyanatheshwara Temple, Talakadu, T.Narasipura Taluk, Mysuru
Shri Siddappaji Temple, Chikkalluru, Kollegala Taluk, Chamarajanagara
Kudalasangama
Kanaka guru Peetha, Kaginele
Shri Pathaleshwara Temple, Purigali, Malavalli Taluk, Mandya
Varur - Navagraha Kshetra, Hubballi
Shri Kashi Vishwanatheshwara Temple, Belakavadi, Malavalli Taluk, Mandya
Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri
sri Doddabasaveshwara temple, Kurugodu, Bellary dist
Sri Virupaksheshwara temple, Hampi.
Sri Guru kottureshwara temple. Kottur. Bellary dist
sri Kanaka durugamma temple, Bellary
Sri Gude mahalineshrawara Temple, Herenjalu Kundapura tq, Udupi dist
Santhoor Subramanya Temple
Temples of Karnataka feature many architectural styles:
Hoysala Architecture
Badami Chalukya Architecture
Vijayanagara architecture
Dravidian Architecture
Western Chalukya Architecture
Badami Cave Temples
Rashtrakuta style
Ganga Architecture
Most temples have some features in common:
Nandi (bull) sculpted in black stone at the entrance of a temple is symbolic of the start of the divine place and temple area.
Pushkarani (a stepped bathing area), with neatly sculpted steps, for temple devotees travelling from far places to take a breather and cleanse. The pushkarani is typically a square shaped construction which has arrangements to keep the water flowing so it does not stagnate.
Gopura are ornate monumental towers which mark the entrance to the temple.
Garbhagudi (garbha meaning womb in Sanskrit/Kannada) is the inner sanctum, which can be of various size and shapes according to the architecture. Garbhagudi may be placed on an elevated place on a stone foundation. Artists may find a place to practice and display devotional sangeetha (music) and naatya (dancing).
Vigraha is an image of the God, typically a black stone lingam, inside the inner sanctum (garbhagudi).
Normally the oldest temples are built on hilltops, where people view God being placed on top of all in the midst of Prakášti (nature). The steps to reach the top are carefully carved on rocky hills as most of the hard stone mountains rocks contain water. Shiva Gange at Therhalli is one such example.
Other temples situated on hills include Chamundeshwari Hills, Mahadeshwara Hills, Biligiriranga Hills and Kodachadri Hills.
Temples and Practices
Some temples of Dakshina Kannada have the practice of not allowing ordinary clothing to be worn inside. People can drape a cloth over, or wear a Lungi. This practise is especially found in the temples in Dakshina Kannada, which lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. This is a very popular temple as the climate is suitable for visiting all year long. Kollur, Kukke, Dharmasthala, Sringeri, Horanadu, Karkala, Murudeshwara and Gokarna are some other famous temples known for devotees thronging to them all through the year.
Many temples in Udupi represent the Dvaita philosophy, and are mostly run by priests of the Ashta Matha monasteries. The Sri Krishna temple, also in Udupi, features the Kanakana kindi or Kanaka's Window, a small peephole in the wall of the temple through which a statue of the great Indian saint Kanaka Dasa may be viewed.
Temples in Sringeri represent the Advaita Vedanta philosophy of Adi Shankara. Being one of oldest institutions of Sanskrit learning, Sringeri Shaarada Peetha is seen as abode of Saraswati, the goddess of learning, and holds a very prominent place in the history of learning and in the hearts of Kannadigas.
North Karnataka temples represent the old glory of long ago kingdoms, with some rituals still practised. Many of the magnificently sculpted temples include shaasanas (inscriptions) which depict various important historical periods.
