List of Vijayanagara era temples in Karnataka

The List of Vijayanagara era temples in Karnataka includes notable and historically important Hindu and Jain temples and monoliths that were built or received significant patronage by the kings and vassals of the Vijayanagara Empire during the period 1336-1646 AD. This period includes the rule of the four dynasties: the Sangama, the Saluva, the Tuluva, and the Aravidu dynasties.

Common name Photo Location District Year NotesSomeshwaraKolar cityKolarEarly 14th centuryAccording to the Archaeological Survey of India the temple is assignable to the early Vijayanagara period VidyashankaraMonuments of Bengaluru circle:Archaeological Survey of India, ChikmagalurRajan, Soundara K.V. (2001), p46Michell, George (2013), chapter:Karnataka, section:19.H, ShringeriSringeriChikkamagaluru16th centuryAccording to art historian George Michell, the unusual stellate appearance of the temple is due to the influence of Hoysala architecture.ShivaBiswas C. Subhas (2014), Chapter:Wonders of Karnataka-II: Hampi, Section: "Hemakuta Hill Temples"Verghese, Anila (2002), p38Hemakuta hill, HampiVijayanagaraEarly 14th centuryHemakuta group of temples, UNESCO World Heritage SiteShivaHemakuta hill, HampiVijayanagara14th centuryHemakuta group of temples, UNESCO World Heritage SiteShivaHemakuta hill, HampiVijayanagara14th centuryHemakuta group of templesShivaHemakuta hill, HampiVijayanagara14th centuryHemakuta group of temples, UNESCO World Heritage SiteShivaHemakuta hill, HampiVijayanagara14th centuryHemakuta group of templesGanagitti (Jain)Monuments of Bengaluru circle:Archaeological Survey of India, Bellary, p2Michell, George (2013), chapter:Karnataka, section:20, HampiHampiVijayanagarac.1385An inscription on the site states that the temple was built in A.D. 1385 by lruga, in the reign of King Harihara II, UNESCO World Heritage SiteSaavira Kambada BasadiMichell, George (1995), p58Sajnani, Manohar (2001), p.166MudabidriUdupic.1429–1430Known locally as the 1000-pillared templeCheluvanarayana SwamyMichell, George (2013), chapter:Karnataka, section:15, MelkoteMelkoteMandyac.1458Also known as Cheluva Narayana temple, it was built by the local Vijayanagara chieftainNarasimhaswamyMelkoteMandyac.15th centuryAccording to historian George Michell, the massive gateway on the hilltop (gopura) is unfinished.VirupakshaMonuments of Bengaluru circle:Archaeological Survey of India, VijayanagaraAhmed, Farooqui Salma (2011), pp138-142Fritz and Michell (2001), pp7-9HampiVijayanagara14th-16th centuries UNESCO World Heritage SiteTemple tank (Pushkarni)Hampi, p54 (2003), John M. Fritz, George Michell, John Gollings, India Book House, OCLC:50434048India: The Elephant's Blessing, Chapter: Hampi or Vijayanagara - The city of victory, Aline Dobbie, Melrose Press, p205, 2006, OCLC:74119289HampiVijayanagara16th centuryStepped temple tank in Hoysala style, UNESCO World Heritage SiteHazara RamaHampiVijayanagarac.1406-1542UNESCO World heritage siteChandikeshwaraHampi, Travel Guide (2003), p57HampiVijayanagarac.1545UNESCO World Heritage SiteUddhana VirabhadraVerghese, Anila (2002), p31HampiVijayanagarac.1545UNESCO World Heritage SitePattabhiramaMalville in Fritz & Michell (2001), p120HampiVijayanagarac.1529-1546UNESCO World Heritage SiteAlvar groupMack in Fritz & Michell (2001), p28, p34, p35, p36HampiVijayanagarac.1556 Five temples were built for the Vaishnava saints Tirumangai, Mudal, Nammalvar, Tirumalishai & Ramanuja; UNESCO World Heritage SiteKallina RathaHampiVijayanagarac.1529-1546UNESCO World Heritage SiteAchyutarayaSajnani, Manohar (2001), p.142HampiVijayanagarac.1529-1546UNESCO World Heritage SiteSasivekalu GaneshaHampi, Travel Guide (2003), p63HampiVijayanagara15th centuryUNESCO World Heritage SiteKadalekalu GaneshaHampiVijayanagara15th centuryUNESCO World Heritage SitePrasanna VirupakshaWagoner in Fritz & Michell (2001), p23HampiVijayanagarac.1509UNESCO World Heritage SiteNandi monolithVerghese, Anila (2002), p42HampiVijayanagara15th centuryUNESCO World Heritage SiteUgra NarasimhaHampiVijayanagara15th centuryUNESCO World Heritage SiteBadavi lingaYang, Jane et al, p301, (2003), Let's Go India & Nepal 8th Ed, Section: Karnataka, Sub-section: Hampi, Let's Go Inc, HampiVijayanagara15th centuryUNESCO World Heritage SiteMallikarjunaSinapoli & Morrison in Fritz & Michell (2001), p109HospetVijayanagara1406–1422Located in Mallapanagudi, close to HospetVishnuHampiVijayanagara16th centuryUNESCO World Heritage SiteChandrashekaraVerghese, Anila (2002), p59HampiVijayanagarac.1406-1446UNESCO World Heritage SiteBalakrishnaJenkins in Fritz & Michell (2001), p88-89, Malville in Fritz & Michell (2001), p120HampiVijayanagarac.1509-1529UNESCO World Heritage SiteRaghunathaMalville and Thakur in Fritz and Michell (2001), pp122-123, p132HampiVijayanagarac.1529-1542UNESCO World Heritage SiteVitthalaHampiVijayanagarac.1426-1542UNESCO World Heritage SiteVirupakshaA. V. Narasimha Murthy, C.T.M. Kotraiah, et al, (2001), p339, Hemakuta: recent researches in archeology and museology, Publisher: Bharatiya Kala Prakashan, VirupakshiKolar15th centuryVijayendraBethamangalaKolar15th centuryChaturmukha (Jain)Titze, Kurt; Bruhn, Klaus (1998), p45KarkalaUttara Kannadac.1586-1587Literally means "four faced" temple.Bahubali monolith (Jain)Michell, George (1995), p61KarkalaUttara Kannadac.1431-1432The monolith of Bahubali here stands twelve and half meters tall.Parshwanatha Basadi (Jain) GerusoppaUttara Kannada1581The Basadi is also called Ratnatraya Badasi and was built by Rangapparajodeya. It has shrines for Neminatha, Parsvanatha and Vardhamana.Shantappa Naika TirumalaKamath, Jyotsna in Temples of KarnatakaBhatkalUttara Kannada1555Built by Shantappa NayakaVirupakshaGokarnaUttara Kannada1570Built by Queen VirambikaBala Kini RaghunathaBhatkalUttara Kannada1590Built by Bala KiniKhetapai NarayanMichell, George (1995), p63BhatkalUttara Kannada1540Built by local chief KetapayyaBahubali monolith (Jain)Michell, George (2013), chapter:Karnataka, section:17, VenurVenurUttara Kannadac.1606The monolith was built by the local Ajila Chiefs.GangadhareshvaraMichell, George (2013), Chapter: Karnataka, Section: Bengaluru, Sub-section: ShivagangaMichell, George (1995), p207ShivagangeBangalore ruralc.1600Shivagange was the principal seat of the Gowda rulers, the founders of Bangalore. Portraits of Kempe Gowda I (dated c.1608) and his two brothers are installed in the rock cut chamber of the temple.Gavi GangadhareshvaraGadagkar, Rajita (2005), p207, Bangalore & Karnataka, Infinitum Publications, BengaluruBangalore c.1600The cave temple was built by Kempe Gowda I in the 16th century.Kollur MookambikaMichell, George (2013), chapter:Karnataka, section:17, KollurKollurUdupic.1616Built by Venkatappa Nayaka of the Nayaka Dynasty of KeladiChandranatha(Jain)BhatkalUttara Kannadac.1484The temples was built by Hadavalli prince SalvendraAryadurgaAnkolaUttara Kannada1505Partakali JivottamGokarnaUttara Kannada1560Mahalasa NarayanKumtaUttara Kannada1560RameshwaraRajan, Soundara K.V. (2001), p23Michell, George (1995), p66KeladiShimogaEarly 16th centuryThe Rameshvara shrine was built by Chudappa Nayaka (c.1499–1530), the founder of the dynasty, and the adjoining Veerabhadra shrine was built by his successor Sadashiva Nayaka (r.1530–1566).AghoreshwaraMichell, George (1995), p67Muthanna, I.M. (1977), p190IkkeriShimogaLate 16th centuryThe Aghoreshwara shrine was built by Dodda Sankanna Nayaka (or Sankanna I, r.1566–1570) who moved his capital from Keladi to Ikkeri.Mahaganapati MahamayaShiraliUttara Kannada1560IshwaraBaindurUdupi16th centuryBalaramaMalpeDakshina Kannada16th centuryIndraniManipalDakshina Kannada16th centuryBhoga NandishwaraMonuments of Bengaluru circle:Archaeological Survey of India, KolarMichell, George (2013), Chapter: Karnataka, Section: Bengaluru, Sub-section: NandiNandiChikkaballapura15th centuryA pavilion with elegant pillars between the two major shrines, a navaranga mantapa (pavilion) with Yali pillars and a large stepped temple tank (kalyani or pushkarni) were added in this period.KanakachalapathiKanakagiriKoppalc.1509–1529AnanthasayanaArchaeological Survey of India, BellaryAnanthasayanagudiBallaric.1524MahaganapatiRajan, Soundara (2001), p27KurudumaleKolar16th centuryTeru MalleshwaraSajnani, Manohar (2001), p.163HiriyurChitradurgac.1466Nandi (Bull)Built by Chief Kempe Gowda I, Raman, Afried (1994), p8Let's Go India & Nepal, 8th Edition, Chapter: Karnataka, Section:Bangalore, Let's Go Inc, Macmillan, 1 December 2003 BengaluruBangalore Urbanc.1509–1529SomeshwaraBuilt by Chief Kempe Gowda I, Raman, Afried (1994), p19Michell, George (1995), p69 in Architecture and Art of Southern India, Volume 1BengaluruBangalore Urban16th centuryOne of the oldest temples in Bangalore, major additions or modifications to which were made during the late Vijayanagara Empire period under the rule of Kempe Gowda I (Hiriya Kempe Gowda).Gavi Gangadhareshwara TempleBengaluruBangalore Urban16th centuryCave temple and one of the oldest temples in Bangalore, dates from the late Vijayanagara Empire period, built by Kempe Gowda I (Hiriya Kempe Gowda).Gangadhareshwara Temple, ShivagangeShivagangeBangalore Rural16th centuryCave temple, dates from the late Vijayanagara Empire period, built by Kempe Gowda I (Hiriya Kempe Gowda).LakshmikanthaswamyJournal of the Andhra Historical Society, Volumes 25-26, p155, (1960), Published at Rajahmundry by Andhra Historical Research SocietyTumkurTumkurc.1560Gopala KrishnaswamiMichell, George in Pieris and Raven (2010), p271ThimmalapuraVijayanagarac.1539ShivaThimmalapuraVijayanagarac.1539RanganathaConjeeveram Hayavadana Rao, Benjamin Lewis Rice, Mysore Gazetteer, Government Press, p297, 1930 - Mysore, IndiaRangasthalaChikkaballapurac.1600GaurishvaraArchaeological Survey of India, ChamarajanagarYelandurChamarajanagarc.1500The temple was constructed by a local chief Singedepa Devabhupala of the Hadinadu chiefdom, a feudatory of the 16th century Vijayanagara EmpireJambunatheshwara HospetVijayanagarac.1500VijayanarayanaSajnani, Manohar (2001), p.141GundlupetChamarajanagar15th centuryRanganatha* MagadiRamanagarac.1524The gopura (tower) were built by the Vijayanagar emperor Krishnadevaraya in the 16th century and was later renovated by King Jayachamaraja Wodeyar of the Mysore Kingdom.SomeshwaraRice, B.L. (1887), p22, Mysore: A Gazetteer Compiled for Government - vol 2, Asian Educational Services, Tourist Guide to Bangalore, page 8, Sura Books, 2006, Bangalore, MagadiRamanagarac.1569Built by Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bangalore Gunja NarasimhaswamyRice B.L. (1887), p312, Mysore: A Gazetteer Compiled for Government - vol 2, Asian Educational Services, Tirumakudal Narasipur Mysore 16th century The temple was under the patronage of the local governor of Mysore, during the Vijayanagara rule over South India.

References

Fritz, John M. and George Michell (editors), New Light on Hampi: Recent Research at Vijayanagar, 2001, MARG Publication, Mumbai, Biswas C. Subhas (2014), India the Land of Gods, Partridge Publishing, New Delhi, Kamat Suryanatha U (2001): A Concise history of Karnataka from pre-historic times to the present, Jupiter Books, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002), OCLC: 7796041

Titze, Kurt; Bruhn, Klaus: Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-violence, Motilal Banarsidass Publication, 1998, Muthanna I.M. (1977): Karnataka, history, administration & culture, Lotus Printers, Bangalore Rajan, Soundara K.V. (2001):Concise Classified Dictionary of Hinduism, Concept Publishing, new Delhi, Michell George (1995):Architecture and Art of Southern India:Vijayanagara and the Successor States, Volume 1, Michell, George (1995):The New Cambridge History of India, Volumes 1-6, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, Michell, George (2013), Southern India: A Guide to Monuments Sites & Museums, Roli Books, Fritz, John M., Michell, George (editors, 2001): New Light on Hampi, Recent research in Vijayanagara, MARG Publications