Kalleshvara Temple

Karnataka, Tumkur, Bangalore

Located in Aralaguppe, Karnataka, the Kalleshvara temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to the inscriptions in the temple dated 895 CE (saka 817), the temple was commissioned by a Nolamba king under his overlord, the Western Ganga King Rachamalla II (r. 870–907 CE).

Legend

Nolamba dynasty was a minor Southern Indian dynasty. Nolambas were overrun by the Ganga king Marasimha, who boasts of having destroyed the Nolamba family and had the title Nolambakulantaka. According to the inscriptions in the temple dated 895 CE (saka 817), the Kalleshvara temple was commissioned by a Nolamba king under his overlord, the Western Ganga King Rachamalla II (r. 870–907 CE).

Architecture

According to historian I. K. Sarma, the Kalleshvara temple is a fine example of native Western Ganga art of the 9th century, with influences from the Badami, Chalukya and Nolamba architectural idioms. The ceiling of mukhamantapa is considered as the most beautiful sculpture in the state. The temple consists of garbagriha, antarala and a mukhamantapa with three lateral shrines. The deity is adorned with a huge black granite Shivalinga. The plan of the garbhagriha is a square pyramidal one, with a plain exterior with simple pilasters, a vestibule (antarala) separating the sanctum from a closed hall (mantapa) with an exceptionally well sculptured section, mahamantapa or navaranga.

Darsan Info

Morning 06:00 AM To 06:00 PM

Darsan Dresscode

wear neat and good clothes and avoid shorts for men

Famous Festival

Shivratri

Culture

Tumkur is primarily a city of colleges and other educational institutions along with heritage sites like temples. Pongal and Ganesh Chaturthi are the most revered festivals of this place which are celebrated with full fervour. A special dish made of rice is cooked on these occasions. People dedicate this sweet dish to God Surya. The Siddaganga Matha is a place of religious and spiritual Interest as is the Kote Anjaneya Swami Temple with its large statue of the Lord Hanuman. There are also many other places of heritage that can be visited in and around Tumkur.