Karnataka is one of the evergreen travel destinations in India. Be it the heritage, the culture, the environment or the development, Karnataka has it all. However, the temples in Karnataka are no less than a fountain of tourism for the state. The legends and the history of these temples make them irresistible for tourists and pilgrims. Below is a list of the most superior temples in Karnataka, along with their historical significance and location details. For more enjoyable travel lists and tourism information, visit Yatrigann.Â
8 Best Temples In KarnatakaÂ
1. Kollur Moonkambika Temple
Kollur Mookambika Temple is situated in the town of Kollur in the Udupi district of Karnataka. You can see this temple in the foothills of the Kodachari hills. Lord Parashurama created this temple right at the borders of Gokarna and Kanyakumari. People come to the temple to worship the unique Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva in this temple. The linga is famous for its unique appearance. A golden line divides it in half. The Tridevis (Goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati) occupy the first half. The other belongs to the Trimurti (Lord Bramha, Vishnu and Shiva). With this stands the idol of Goddess Moolambika.
Location:Â Sri Mookambika Temple, Kollur, Kundapura Taluk, Udupi District – 576 220
Timing:  5 A.M to 1.30 PM, 3.00 PM to 9.00 PM
History of the temple
Once upon a time, Sage Adi Shankaracharya saw the Goddess Moonkambika Devi in his dream. After that, he established the temple in Kollur.
2. Udupi Srikrishna Temple
Just like the one above, this temple is also situated in Udupi in Karnataka. Lord Krishna and Dvaita Maatha are worshipped in this temple. The history of this temple and the legends surrounding it attract a lot of people to this temple.
Location: ÂTemple Car St, Sri Krishna Temple Complex, Thenkpete, Maruthi Veethika, Udupi, Karnataka 576101
Timings: 6am–8:30pm
History of the temple
They say Lord Krishna chose Udupi as his final resting place. Kanakadasa was an intense worshipper of Lord Krishna. For some reason, he was denied entry into the temple. However, Kanakadasa was so devoted that he continued praying outside the temple to Lord Krishna. Lord noticed his devotion and the idol moved in the direction of Kanakadasa. In a while, there was a hole in the wall lined up exactly where Kanakadasa’s eyes would fall so he can see his God. People now know that hole as ‘Kanakana Kindi’ or Kanaka’s Window.
3. Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
The Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple is situated in the town of Dharmasthala in Karnataka. Lord Shiva is worshipped in this temple. Here, Lord Shiva is also referred to as Lord Manjunatha Ammanavaru, the Tirthankara Chandraprabha, and a few more Jain Gods, since it is administered by a Jain Family. In general, this is a Hindu temple, however, the priests that perform the rituals are from the Vaishnavism sector of Hindus. What is surprising here, is that this is a temple of Shaivism in the Hindu culture.
Location: Sri Kshetra, Dharmasthala, Karnataka 574216
Timings: 9.30AM-2.00PM, 4PM-9PM
History of the temple
Once upon a time, a Jain Bunt known as Birmanna Pergade and his wife Ammu Ballalthi used to live in a house known as Nelliadi Beedji. One day the angels of Dharma came to visit Birmanma and his wife in human form to find a place where Dharma was being practised. The couple welcomed them with an open heart and treated them with respect. Impressed by their kindness, the angels appeared in Birmanna’s dreams and told him to use Nelliadi Beedji as a temple to welcome the Lords and dedicate his entire life to this service. Interestingly, Birmanna didn’t question anything and took the leap of faith. Even today, Pergade’s are the primary caretakers of the temple.
4. Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple
The Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna dates back to the 4th century CE. It is one of the oldest temples in India. The view from this temple is truly serene since it faces the beach, just like the Mahabalipuram Shore Temple in Tamil Nadu. The deity worshipped in this temple is the Shiva Linga, or, the Atmalinga of the Mahabaleshwar Temple.
Location: Koti Teertha Rd, Kotiteertha, Dandebagh, Gokarna, Karnataka 581326
Timings: 6am–12pm, 5–7pm
History of the temple
The story of the Shiva linga in the temple goes back to the time when Ravana, the demon king, brought the Atmalinga from Kailasha for his mother to worship it. When he was going through Gokarna, Lord Vishnu faked the evening sky, due to which Ravana had to stop for his evening rituals. During this, Lord Ganesh tricked him and he accidentally placed the Atmalinga on the ground. Since it was impossible to pick it up from the ground, Ravana decided to build the temple around it.
5. Kukke Subramanya Temple
Kukke Subramanya Temple is situated in the village of Subramanya and is dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (God of Serpents), and son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. The temple is located near the Kumara Parvatha mountain in Karnataka.
Location: Subrahmanya Post Sullia, Taluk, Subramanya, Karnataka 574238
Timings: 7am–1:30pm, 2–6pm
History of the temple
When Lord Kartikeya, or Shanmukha, was marrying his wife Devasena, he came across the Snake King Vasuki who was performing penance at that time. To reward him, Lord Kartikeya agreed on residing inside him along with his new wife. Since then, Lord Kartikeya, Goddess Devasena and Vasuki reside as one in the temple.
6. Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple
The Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple lies in the town of Kateel in Karnataka. The deity worshipped in the temple is the Goddess Shakti. The temple also shares corners with the river Nandini.
Location: Temple Rd, Ullanje, Karnataka 574150
Timings: 5.30AM-9.30PM
History of the temple
When Lord Brahma blessed the demon Arunasura with insurmountable powers, he became problematic and started the destruction of his surroundings. As part of the blessings, no two or 4 legged creature could kill him. Goddess Shakti lured the demon into a battle and turned into 1000s of bees to defeat him. After that, the Goddess took the form of a Shiva Linga and resided on the Banks of the river Nandini. Later, worshippers constructed the temple around the Shiva Linga.
7. Horanadu Annapurneshwari Temple
The Horanadu Annapurneshwari Temple lies at the banks of river Bhadra in the town of Horanadu in Karnataka. The deity residing in the temple is Goddess Annapurna (Parvati), who is the provider of food to earth.
Location: Mudigere – Taluk, Chikamagalur – District, Horanadu, Karnataka 577181
Timings: 7am–8:30pm
History of the temple
Legend has it that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got into an argument about the significance of food in the lives of Human beings. Lord Shiva believed that food was just a distraction, however, Goddess Parvati believe in the importance of food. Finally, to prove that to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati paused the supply of natural resources for food to humans. After a while, people started to suffer and Lord Shiva saw their pain. Goddess Parvati then flourished people with food and resources, gaining the title of ‘Annapurneshwari’.
8. Virupaksh Temple
The Virupaksh Temple is a shrine to Lord Shiva and is based in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka. In fact, apart from being an excellent heritage site, this temple is popular for its monumental architecture. Evidently, the origins of the temple date back to the 7th Century CE.
Location: Pattadakal, Karnataka 587201
Timings: 7AM-8PM
History of the temple
The architectural history of this temple is a fascinating one since a Queen made this temple. Queen Loka Mahadevi built this temple while defeating the Pallavas. Eventually, kings, queens and worshippers started building more and more shrines around the temple. Presently, people know them as Temples of Patyadakal.
FAQs
Which is the most famous Temple in Karnataka?
Kollur Mookambika TempleÂis the most famous temple in Karnataka. Millions of people visit every year to see the Shiva Linga of Kollur Mookambika Temple.
Which Temple is located near the river Nandini?
Kateel Durgaparameshwari TempleÂis situated on the banks of river Nandini. Ritualistically, pilgrims wash their feet in the river before entering the temple.
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