Kaitabheshvara Temple, Kubatur
Shiva (as Kaitabheshvara; Koteshvara in inscriptions) temple · Kotipura (Devasthanada-Hakkalu), near Kubatur and Anavatti, Soraba taluk, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India
The Kaitabheshvara Temple is an early 12th-century Shiva temple in Soraba taluk of Shivamogga district, Karnataka. It stands on rising ground east of the village of Devasthanada-Hakkalu, popularly called Kotipura, next to the old town of Kubatur (Kuppatur) and close to Anavatti. Although popularly called Kaitabheshvara, the deity is named Koteshvara in the temple's inscriptions, according to the Karnataka State Gazetteer for Shimoga district.
Built of soapstone, the temple is regarded as a fine example of late Western Chalukya architecture with early Hoysala touches, and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as a Monument of National Importance.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Kaitabheshvara Temple, Kubatur
The temple is valued above all as architecture. The district gazetteer counts it among the temples that mark the transition from the Chalukyan to the Hoysala style, noting that it has neither the lion-face (simha-lalata) nor the Hoysala crest seen on later temples, but has charming sculpture on the platform around the front hall and on the ceilings. Wikipedia reports that the ASI describes its architectural signature as mainly Chalukyan, while the art historian Adam Hardy places it in the 'Later Chalukya, non-mainstream' tradition, at the far end of that spectrum.
A local legend recorded in the gazetteer says that Kaitabha was a demon slain by Shiva here; the gazetteer points out that in the Puranas the demons Madhu and Kaitabha are killed by Vishnu. Kubatur itself is linked by tradition with Kuntalanagara, and another legend makes it the capital of the king Chandrahasa.
Heritage
History of Kaitabheshvara Temple, Kubatur
Wikipedia, citing the ASI, dates the temple to about 1100 CE, during the rule of the Hoysala king Vinayaditya, when the Hoysalas were powerful feudatories of the Western Chalukya emperor Vikramaditya VI. The district gazetteer notes that the temple is referred to in an inscription of 1070 CE, so a shrine here may be older than the present building.
Kubatur and its neighbourhood have several other old monuments. The gazetteer records a Jain basadi of Parshvanatha built in 1017 CE, a Rameshvara temple originally built around 900 CE in the Rashtrakuta period, and a Chintamani-Narasimha temple with an unusual seated, crownless Narasimha. The Parshvanatha basadi is also listed by the ASI as a Monument of National Importance. Most of the other old shrines around the village are in ruins, the gazetteer notes.
Architecture and sacred features
The temple has a single square shrine with a vestibule opening into a large hall. According to the gazetteer, the stone tower over the shrine rises in four tiers of miniature turrets to the spire, and carries images of Mahishasuramardini, Bhairava and Maheshvara; the gazetteer compares the Maheshvara figure to the Tandaveshvara on the south niche at Belur. Wikipedia describes a large dome-shaped crowning stone (the 'helmet' or amalaka) topped by a stone kalasha, and a projecting front section of the tower (sukanasi) facing east. The outer walls carry full-height and half-height pilasters, the shorter ones topped by miniature towers.
The spacious hall is entered from several sides and has polished, lathe-turned round pillars; the gazetteer notes a ceiling in the vestibule carved as a lotus of about 400 petals, and Gajalakshmi on the lintels of the vestibule and sanctum doorways. Wikipedia adds that the parapet above the eaves carries figures of Ugra Narasimha, Varaha, Garuda and Keshava. The gazetteer records five small subsidiary structures of Hoysala workmanship in the compound, and considers the Kedareshvara temple at Balligavi to be of nearly the same type, though smaller and triple-shrined.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The temple is a protected monument; do not climb on the structure or touch the carvings, and follow any ASI rules on photography. Confirm current opening hours, access and whether worship is offered with the Archaeological Survey of India or local authorities before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Archaeological Survey of India (protected monument) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Location
How to Reach Kaitabheshvara Temple, Kubatur
Kubatur is about 29 km north-east of Soraba town, according to the district gazetteer, and Wikipedia places it near Anavatti. Shivamogga is the district headquarters. Confirm local road directions to Kotipura before travelling, as the temple is sometimes listed under Kubatur and sometimes under Anavatti.
Location: Kotipura (Devasthanada-Hakkalu), near Kubatur and Anavatti, Soraba taluk, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India
More in Hindu temples in Karnataka · Shiva (as Kaitabheshvara; Koteshvara in inscriptions) temples · Temples in Neralige · Temples in Sorab Taluk · Temples in Shimoga District
Questions
Kaitabheshvara Temple, Kubatur: Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the Kaitabheshvara Temple?
It is usually described as being at Kubatur, near Anavatti in Soraba taluk, Shivamogga district, but the district gazetteer places it within the neighbouring village of Devasthanada-Hakkalu, popularly called Kotipura.
Who is the deity of the Kaitabheshvara Temple?
Shiva. The temple is popularly called Kaitabheshvara, but its inscriptions name the deity Koteshvara.
How old is the Kaitabheshvara Temple?
Wikipedia, citing the ASI, dates the present temple to about 1100 CE under the Hoysala ruler Vinayaditya; the gazetteer notes a reference to it in an inscription of 1070 CE.
What is the legend behind the name Kaitabheshvara?
A local legend holds that Shiva killed a demon named Kaitabha here. In the Puranas, Madhu and Kaitabha are killed by Vishnu, as the gazetteer notes.
Is the Kaitabheshvara Temple protected?
Yes. It is a Monument of National Importance under the Archaeological Survey of India (N-KA-B176).
What is notable about its architecture?
It marks the transition from Chalukyan to Hoysala style, with a four-tiered tower, lathe-turned pillars, a lotus ceiling of about 400 petals and carved parapet figures of Narasimha, Varaha, Garuda and Keshava.
Sources and attribution
- Government of Karnataka – Karnataka State Gazetteer, via Internet Archive — Karnataka State Gazetteer: Shimoga District (1975), entries 'Devasthanada-Hakkalu (Kotipura)', 'Kubatur' and art chapter
- Wikipedia — Kaitabheshvara Temple, Kubatur
- Wikipedia — List of Monuments of National Importance in Bangalore circle (entries N-KA-B176, N-KA-B177)
- Wikipedia — Anavatti
- Wikidata — Kaitabheshvara Temple, Kubatur (Q6348580) – heritage designation and coordinates
Further reading: Kaitabheshvara Temple, Kubatur on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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