Amruteshwara Temple, Amruthapura
Shiva (as Amruteshwara) temple · Amruthapura, Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, India
The Amruteshwara Temple is a Hoysala-period Shiva temple in the village of Amruthapura, Tarikere taluk, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka. According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Bengaluru Circle, which lists it among the monuments in its care, it is a compact, east-facing temple built in 1196 CE by the Hoysala general Amruteshwara Dandanayaka during the reign of Ballala II (1173–1220).
The temple is known for its richly carved hall, whose parapet carries small narrative panels from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavata, for ceilings that preserve the names of the sculptors who made them, and for a Kannada inscription composed by the court poet Janna. The Ministry of Tourism's rural tourism portal places it about 67 km north of Chikmagalur town.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Amruteshwara Temple, Amruthapura
The temple is an important dated monument of Hoysala art from the late 12th century. Writing in the Deccan Herald, B. P. Premakumar describes it as one of the finest shrines of the Hoysala period and notes that the village was made an agrahara with the temple as its centre.
The stone inscription at the temple is valued as literature as well as history. The ASI records that the Kannada inscription of 1196 CE was composed by the renowned poet Janna, who bore the title Kavi Chakravarti and made a major contribution to medieval Kannada literature. The Deccan Herald calls it a fine example of medieval Kannada poetry.
The temple is also significant for the history of Hoysala sculptors. The ASI notes that some ceilings of the navaranga carry labels giving the names of the sculptors, among them Mallitamma, Padumann, Baluga and Malaya. According to the Deccan Herald, Mallitamma, who went on to work on several Hoysala temples over some six decades, began his career on the navaranga ceilings here.
Heritage
History of Amruteshwara Temple, Amruthapura
The ASI dates the temple to 1196 CE and names its builder as Amruteshwara Dandanayaka, a general under Ballala II; the Deccan Herald names him Amitayya Dannayaka and describes him as an able general of the Hoysala king Vira Ballala II.
According to the Deccan Herald, the temple was built in two stages. The first, in 1196 CE, comprised the sanctum, vestibule, navaranga and a porch; the ornate pillared hall (mukhamantapa) on the east was added about a decade later, around 1206 CE. The same article notes that the wall niches of the original structure contain only uncarved blocks, suggesting that the sculpture there was left unfinished.
Architecture and sacred features
The ASI describes the plan as a garbhagriha (sanctum), antarala, navaranga and porches on the south and east. The eastern porch is extended into a many-pillared hall (sabhamandapa), the most ornate part of the temple, raised on a platform with seating (kakshasana) along its sides. Its twenty-eight ceilings are decorated with floral designs, and its parapet carries the narrative panels from the epics. The superstructure over the sanctum is of the two-tiered Vesara type with a finial; the Deccan Herald notes that every tier is ornamented with kirtimukha faces.
On the sukanasi projection of the tower is a panel of Shiva as Gajasuramardana (the slayer of the elephant demon), and above it the Hoysala royal emblem of Sala slaying a lion, according to the ASI. The Deccan Herald draws attention to the lathe-turned, highly polished pillars of the navaranga. To the south stands a separate, unornamented shrine of the goddess Sarasvati, which the ASI regards as one of the best specimens of Hoysala art.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The temple is a protected monument: do not climb on, touch or mark the carvings, and follow ASI signage on photography and restricted areas. It is also a place of worship, so dress modestly and remove footwear where required. Confirm current visiting hours with the ASI Bengaluru Circle or the local temple custodian before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Archaeological Survey of India, Bengaluru Circle (monument) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Location
How to Reach Amruteshwara Temple, Amruthapura
The ASI names Tarikere as the nearest railway station and bus station, and the Ministry of Tourism's rural tourism portal gives the railway station as about 11 km away in Tarikere. Wikipedia places the village about 50 km from Shivamogga on NH 206. The ASI gives Bengaluru as the approach airport, while the rural tourism portal names Mangaluru (about 220 km).
Location: Amruthapura, Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, India
Nearest airport: Bengaluru (per the ASI); Mangaluru is about 220 km (per the Ministry of Tourism)
Nearest railway station: Tarikere (about 11 km, per the Ministry of Tourism)
More in Hindu temples in Karnataka · Shiva (as Amruteshwara) temples · Temples in Amrutapura · Temples in Chikmagalur District
Questions
Amruteshwara Temple, Amruthapura: Frequently Asked Questions
Who built the Amruteshwara Temple at Amruthapura?
According to the ASI, it was built in 1196 CE by Amruteshwara Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala king Ballala II.
Where is Amruthapura?
Amruthapura is a village in Tarikere taluk of Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, about 67 km north of Chikmagalur town. The nearest railway station is Tarikere.
What is special about the Amruteshwara Temple?
Its pillared hall carries small narrative panels from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavata, its ceilings bear the names of their sculptors, and a Kannada inscription at the temple was composed by the poet Janna.
Which sculptors worked on the Amruteshwara Temple?
The ASI records names including Mallitamma, Padumann, Baluga and Malaya on the navaranga ceilings. The Deccan Herald says Mallitamma began his career here.
Is there a goddess shrine at Amruthapura?
Yes. A separate, plain shrine of Sarasvati stands on the south side; the ASI regards it as one of the best specimens of Hoysala art.
Is the Amruteshwara Temple protected?
It is listed by the ASI Bengaluru Circle among the monuments in its care, and visitors should follow ASI rules.
Sources and attribution
- Archaeological Survey of India, Bengaluru Circle (Wayback Machine copy, July 2021) — Amritesvara Temple (Amruthapura)
- Deccan Herald (Wayback Machine copy) — Architectural marvel, by B. P. Premakumar (20 January 2004)
- Ministry of Tourism, Government of India – Rural Tourism portal (Wayback Machine copy, September 2024) — Amrutapura
- Wikipedia — Amrutesvara Temple, Amruthapura
Further reading: Amruteshwara Temple, Amruthapura on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Spotted an error? Write to info@hindutone.com — see our editorial policy.
Pilgrim Circuit