Historical temples in and around Chikmagalur

The Sringeri Sharadamba Temple in Karnataka, is also known as The Sringeri Sharada Peetam. This ancient temple, built by the revered sage Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century is of immense historical importance. It is dedicated to the goddess Sharadamba, a female deity who stands for wisdom and knowledge. Built in the emblematic Dravidian style of architecture, you will see some awesome carvings and sculptures portraying numerous Gods/Goddesses as well as mythological scenes. It is also located in a calm environment running through the dense forests of Western Ghats, which adds to this spiritual vibe. The principal deity, the Sharadamba is seated in the padmasana posture holding the Japa Mala and a book which symbolises knowledge. Some of the major rituals in this temple are the daily Sharadamba Puja and Navratri, which massively attracts thousands of devotees. Many visitors reflect on the spiritually uplifting feeling that is felt at this temple along with the peaceful surrounding here that allows one to meditate. Travelling to this temple during the winter months, i.e. during October to February Months are the best as the weather remains good in these months. Close by, there is the famous Vidyashankara Temple and the scenic Sirimane Falls. Road links to Sringeri are accessible from major cities like Mangalore and Bangalore, with accommodations and facilities available for pilgrims and tourists. You can feel the spiritual enrichment and witness the cultural heritage of the western ghats when you visit this temple.

The Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple is located in the beautiful village of Horanadu in the Chikmagalur District. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Annapoorneshwari, the deity of nourishment and food and is of great historical and religious importance. The architecture of this temple is a mixture of traditional styles from South India with statured artistry in carvings and sculptures representing different mythological themes. The idol of Goddess Annapoorneshwari is made of gold and features the goddess having a ladle along with a food plate in her hand, which represents what exactly she offers. The temple is well known for its unique ritual of serving free meals to all visitors, fulfilling the deity’s role as the goddess of sustenance. This is done via Annadanam, so that no devotee will leave the temple hungry, thus epitomising Annapoorneshwari. Among the major festivals that are celebrated here is Navratri and Maha Shivaratri, to name a few; which attract an enormous number of devotees. The temple is surrounded by the Western Ghats making it a peaceful retreat for tourists. The best time to visit is between October and February when the weather is pleasant. Some of the nearby attractions worth visiting include the Kudremukh National Park and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. Horanadu can be reached by road from all major towns like Bangalore and Mangalore along with stay options for pilgrims. You can feel the spiritual enrichment and witness the cultural heritage of the western ghats when you visit this temple.

Kalaseshwara Temple is one of the holiest shrines located in Kalasa town, a village administratively governed by Mudigere Taluk and Chikmagalur District. It is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva & considered a very historical and religious site. The style of temple architecture is traditional South Indian and has intricate carvings and stone sculptures. Inside the sanctum, there is a lingam which represents lord shiva around which the rituals are performed on a daily basis. The Bhadra River flows on one side of the temple, which makes it a picturesque and calm place to visit. Kalaseshwara Temple gets its widespread popularity due to the grand Rathotsava which is celebrated every year, and is extremely crowded during this time with pilgrims coming from near and far for it. Several significant rituals along with the daily Abhishekam of the Shiva lingam, which devotees consider to be rewarding in fulfilling their wishes are performed. It is often said by numerous visitors that the temple rejuvenates their weary soul as it has a peaceful environment which blends perfectly with nature and serves as an apt place to sit, meditate or worship. It is best to visit this temple during the cooler months, i.e., from October to February for more temperate weather. Some nearby attractions include the Kudremukh National Park, Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple and the sprawling Chikmagalur coffee estates. Kalasa is well connected with roadways and has some good accomodation for pilgrims as well as visitors. The visit to the Kalaseshwara Temple is a meeting of spiritual and natural beauty, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone.

The Amrutheshwara Temple in Amruthapura of Chikkamagaluru district is a fine specimen of Hoysala style construction. It was built by Hoysala ruler Veera Ballala II in the 12th century and is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva as Amruteshwara. The temple is built perfectly to highlight the fabulous style of Hoysala work with extraordinary changes and fine sculpture that beautify walls as well as rooftops. The temple is built from soapstone which allows for intricate and delicate carving that is unique to the Hoysalas. A Shivalinga forms the sanctum which is followed for worship. The temple’s intricately designed panels narrates scenes from epics like The Mahabharata and Ramayana. The outer walls of the temple are filled with stone sculptures such as deities, musicians and dancers signifying those rich cultural times. Puja prayers are performed daily, and it gathers a huge crowd in the temple during festive occasions like Maha Shivaratri. The serene atmosphere of the temple, nestled amidst lush greenery, offers a tranquil retreat for visitors seeking spiritual solace. The best time to visit the Amrutheshwara Temple is from October to February when the weather remains great. Guests can visit the coffee estates in Chikmagalur, or the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple. The temple is well connected by road from major towns of Bangalore and Mangalore, the stay facilities are also available at nearby villages. 

The Mullayanagiri Temple is located atop the highest peak in Karnataka, Mullayanagiri, in the Chikkamagaluru district. Standing at an elevation of 1,930 metres (6,330 feet), this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and holds both religious and scenic significance. Its modest yet spiritually potent architecture fits beautifully in the landscape of natural beauty. It is named after Sage Mullappa, who is believed to have meditated in the caves nearby. The temple has a Shiva lingam and Nandi statue which are pivotal to the worship rituals performed here. The Mullayanagiri Temple serves as a place of worship and attracts large numbers of tourists, especially during the festival Maha Shivaratri where special prayers are offered to Lord Shiva. The calm and peaceful aura of the temple with views across Western Ghats is a fantastic experience. The journey itself is quite a task but it promises excitement and spiritual healing from all the mess of your daily life. The ideal time to visit Mullayanagiri Temple is between the months of September and March, when you can actually enjoy a nice trek with pleasant weather. It is close to Baba Budangiri Range, Hebbe Falls and Coffee Plantations of Chikkamagaluru. The temple can be reached by road and there is also a trekking path to the top that will take you on an experience of your lifetime. Tourists and pilgrims can also avail accommodation facilities at Chikmagalur town according to their convenience and comfort ranges.

Belavadi, a village in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka is an outstanding example of Hoysala art dating back to the 12th century. The temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Veeranarayana is renowned for its delicate artistry and intricate carvings. Architecturally, the temple follows the tradition of Hoysala style star shaped Platform (Jagati), elaborate sets and highly carved out richly sculptured pillars. Sculptures of apsaras, mythological stories and celestial beings are also carved on the outer walls. The central shrine has the main deity as Lord Veeranarayana and Goddess Lakshmi and Garuda by his side. Belavadi Veeranarayana Temple has something magical about it,especially because of the aesthetic appeal and aura with which any visitor will be drawn towards. Set amidst the beautiful countryside of rural Karnataka, the peaceful environment here serves as a glorious retreat for devotees and tourists who visit this stunning archaeological temple. Major festivals celebrated at the temple include Vaikunta Ekadashi and Narasimha Jayanti, drawing devotees from across the region to participate in special rituals and celebrations. The temple is also one of the most visited places, frequented by historians and artists who marvel at the Hoysala architectural legacy. During winters, i.e., from October to February and undoubtedly is the time you should visit Belavadi Veeranarayana Temple. Some of the popular places nearby are Halebidu and Belur temples which are famous for Hoysala Architecture. Belavadi is easily reachable by road from Chikmagalur and Hassan, with good accommodation facilities available at nearby towns.

The Dattatreya Peeta, located in the Baba Budan Giri Range of Western Ghats near Chikkamagaluru, is a pilgrimage spot which provides an enchanting view to its visitors. The Dattatreya Peeta shrine is dedicated to Guru Dattatreya, a Hindu deity who is believed to be an incarnation combining the divine aspects of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The shrine is a blend of Hinduism and Sufi, and it attracts devotion from all faiths. Nestled amidst serene and peaceful surroundings enveloped by lofty green hills and dense forests, the shrine here provides a perfect setting for meditation purpose pilgrimage. Needless to say, the shrine is of immense religious importance and legend has it that its establishment harks back all the way to the early Muslim saint Baba Budan who was supposedly credited for introducing coffee as a crop to India. The site also houses the caves where Baba Budan is believed to have meditated. The place is visited by pilgrims throughout the year, further enhancing the visit for Urs festival that honour both Baba Budan and Guru Dattatreya. Devotees worship and do pooja, performing some rituals praying for good health, prosperity and seek bliss during the festival. The right time to be in Baba Budangiri Dattatreya Peeta is between the months of September and March when you can also end up doing lots of nature walks around. The nearby attractions are the majestic Manikyadhara Falls, and Mullayanagiri peak which will let you enjoy a soul-satisfying trek through splendid Western Ghats. A trip to this holy destination brings the amalgamation of faith, culture and beauty of nature together giving all the travel buffs some memorable moments to cherish.

So as we conclude our temple visit in Chikmagalur, it is evident that these temples are not just a reflection of the past but also a living and standing assertion to our heritage. We hope this virtual visit will inspire you to see these temples in person, perhaps at a time when it is appropriate for the public to do so. Take your curiosity on a walk and visit the temples of Chikmagalur on a temple trail. Allow these holy places to take you on a journey through the heartland of Karnataka's culture. Until the next one, sayonara and keep exploring!