Keladi Temples

3rd October 2008


Keladi is a village 7 kms from Sagar in Shimoga district of Karnataka. Keladi was the capital of Keladi Nayakas who rules the areas around Shimoga for nearly two and a half centuries.




Choudappa Nayaka who was the first ruler of Keladi kingdom constructed these Temples. Keladi kings started to rule as a feudatory of Vijayanagar Empire in 1499 AD. Later, when Vijayanagar Empire fell down during the battle of Talikota in 1565 AD, Keladi kings gained independence.


Important rulers of this Kingdom were Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka, Shivappa Nayaka and Keladi Chennamma. In 1763 AD, Keladi was defeated by Hyder Ali of Mysore and was merged with Kingdom of Mysore.


Temple complex looks like a big house from outside. Once entered, the beauty of the stone carvings is amazing. The Temple is built in Hoysala, Dravida, Kadamba and Vijayanagar style. The Temple complex consists of 3 Temples – Rameshwara, Veerabhadreshwara and Parvathi Temples. Overall, Temple is popularly known as Rameshwara Temple.


Gandu berunda (Bird with two heads)


How to reach Keladi:

From BH road bus stop at Sagar, take the road towards Soraba. Shortly after crossing a railway line, there is road towards left that takes to Keladi. Travel for 7 kms to reach Keladi. The Temple complex is at the right side of the road.

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