Top 5 Popular Temples of Harihara in India

Harihara is the combination of half Vishnu (Hari) and half Shiva (Hara), revered by both Vaishnavites and Shaivites. There are sculptures of Harihara in the temples of India with half image as Lord Vishnu and other half as Lord Shiva in the cave temples.

Here is the list of five most popular temples of Lord Harihara in India, few more temples with images of Harihara are Ossian temples in Rajasthan, Deopani temple in Assam and Birasini temple in Madhya Pradesh.

Harihareshwara Temple, Karnataka

Harihareshwara Temple at Harihar was built during the Hoysala Empire in Karnataka. The temple houses a beautiful image of Harihara and one of the most popular Hoysala temples in Karnataka along with Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu and Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura.

Badami Cave Temple, Karnataka

Badami cave temples in Badami was built during Chalukya dynasty and home to some of the earliest examples of Hindu temples in South India.
There are number of temples in the complex housing carved sculpture of Harihara, relief sculpture of Ardhanarishvara and the Tandava-dancing image of Shiva as Nataraja.

Dharmaraja Ratha, Tamil Nadu

Dharmaraja Ratha monument in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu house many sculptures and images of Harihara and Ardhanarisvara.
The entire temple complex is a state protected monument by ASI and part of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.

Harihara Deula, Odisha

Harihara Deula in Boudh district of Odisha is a twin temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The twin temples showcase the Kalinga architecture, situated near the bank of Mahanadi.

Baijnath Temple, Himachal Pradesh

Baijnath Hindu temple of Nagara style in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh is dedicated to Lord Shiva and there are idols of Lord Harihara in the temple.
Harihara is also part of the temples throughout South Asia, Popular temples with Harihara murti outside India are Purandi temple in Nepal,Prasat Andet in Cambodia and Candi Simping of Indonesia.