12 Must Visit Lord Shiva Temples in Karnataka
The state of Karnataka is home to list of famous Hoysaleswara Temples, dedicated to different forms and name for the Hindu god Shiva. Most of these temples are protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India, Most famous Lord Shiva temples in Karnataka are Kedareshvara Temple at Balligavi,Mahadeva Temple at Itagi, Someshwara Temple at Kolar, Kedareshwara Temple at Halebidu and Hoysaleswara Lord Shiva Temple.
Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna
Mahabaleshwar Temple at Gokarna is built in the classical Dravidian architectural style, facing the city of Karwar beach on the Arabian Sea Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.
The temple has the Atmalinga and one of the seven sacred places of salvation in Karnataka.
Murdeshwar Temple, Bhatkal
Murdeshwar Temple built on the Kanduka Hill and surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Arabian Sea. The temple has 20 storied gopura and famous for the world’s second tallest Shiva statue.
Manjunatha Temple, Dharmasthala
Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple is one of the oldest temple in Karnataka and houses the deities of Lord Shiva as Manjunatha and gods of Jainism.
Srikanteshwara Temple, Nanjangud
Srikanteshwara Temple at Nanjangud is an ancient Hindu temple, located in the town of Nanjangud on the right bank of river Kapila. Nanjangud is also known as Dakshina Kashi and for the ancient temple of the god Srikanteshwara.
Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kolar
Kotilingeshwara Temple has one of the largest lingams in the world, located in the village of Kammasandra in Kolar district. The temple 108 ft huge lingam and 35 ft tall idol of Nandi installed over a platform.
Badavilinga Temple, Hampi – Karnataka
The Badavilinga Temple at Hampi is a must visit Lord Shiva temple in Karnataka, House one of the tallest shivalingam in India.
Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu
Hoysaleswara Temple is the largest Hindu temple in Halebidu, dedicated to Lord Shiva by names of Hoysaleswara and Santaleswara Shiva lingas. The Kedareshwara Temple of Halebidu along with Hoysaleswara Temple were sponsored by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire.
Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of LOrd Shiva on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The temple was build during the Vijayanagara empire and a must visit place in Karnataka.
There is one more popular Underground Shiva Temple at Hampi, located near the main road to Hampi bus stand.
Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Temple, Bangalore
Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Temple is located in Omkar Hills of Bangalore, Listed as one of the most magnificent and gigantic temples in Karnataka. The temple has all the 12 Jyotirlingas and the Omkareshwara Jyotirlinga is the main Jyotirlinga of the temple.
Shivoham Shiva Temple, Bangalore
Shivoham Shiva Temple is home to a 65 feet tall Shiva statue and a popular spiritual destination in Bangalore. The temple is located at Old Airport Road and visited by 275,909 people On Maha Shivratri.
Lad Khan Temple, Aihole
Lad Khan Temple is located in Aihole, close to the famous Durga temple of Aihole and was build during the Chalukya dynasty. The temple houses a Shiva Linga with a Nandi bull statue and built in a Panchayatana style.
Mahadeva Temple, Itagi
Mahadeva Temple at Itagi was built by King Vikramaditya VI of Chalukya Empire and a good example of complete Western Chalukyan art. The temple contains a Shiva linga as presiding deity, Doddabasappa Temple, Gude Mahalingeswara Temple and Kadri Manjunath Temple are few more Lord Shiva temples in Karnataka.
