Lakshmi Devi Temple
ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀದೇವಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ
Lakshmi (Mahalakshmi) temple · Doddagaddavalli, Hassan, Karnataka, India
Photo: Dineshkannambadi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
The Lakshmi Devi Temple at Doddagaddavalli, a village in Hassan district of Karnataka, is one of the earliest temples of the Hoysala period. Dedicated to the goddess Mahalakshmi, it was built in 1113 CE, during the reign of the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana, and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as a monument of national importance.
The ASI describes it as the only example of a chatuskuta, or four-shrined, temple from the Hoysala period. Its four sanctums open onto a shared hall, and it stands in a courtyard enclosed by a stone wall, on the road between Hassan and Belur.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Lakshmi Devi Temple
The eastern, main shrine houses Lakshmi, whose image the Deccan Herald describes as about three feet tall, four-armed, holding a conch, discus, rosary and mace, with an attendant on either side. The other sanctums hold Kali and a Shiva linga, while the fourth, southern, shrine is now without an image, according to the ASI.
The Kali shrine is known for its carved vetalas, skeletal goblin figures in the vestibule, which the Deccan Herald highlights as one of the temple's main attractions. The Deccan Herald identifies the now-empty southern shrine as having been dedicated to Vishnu, so the plan once brought together shrines of Lakshmi, Kali, Shiva and Vishnu.
Heritage
History of Lakshmi Devi Temple
According to the ASI, Doddagaddavalli was founded by a merchant, Kullahana Rahuta, and his wife Sahaja Devi, who had the temple of Mahalakshmi built in 1113 CE in the reign of the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana (1106–1142 CE). The Deccan Herald gives the date as 1114 CE.
The ASI notes that the towers carry what it describes as the earliest examples of the Hoysala royal emblem, Sala striking a tiger, placed on the projecting fronts of all four towers.
Architecture and sacred features
The four sanctums are set in the four directions, each linked by a vestibule (sukanasi) to a common navaranga hall. Except for the tower over the Lakshmi shrine, which is a two-tiered vimana with a square shikhara and stone finial, the towers are simple stepped pyramids of the Kadamba Nagara type, according to the ASI. The temple is not raised on the star-shaped platform typical of later Hoysala temples.
Inside, the square navaranga has carved ceiling panels; the Deccan Herald notes a central panel of a dancing Shiva and others showing the guardians of the eight directions, along with doorway sculptures of Gajalakshmi and Yoga Narasimha. The courtyard wall has a gateway with a porch on the south side.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
As a centrally protected monument, the temple is maintained by the ASI's Bengaluru Circle (Hassan sub-circle). Confirm current visiting hours and arrangements with the Archaeological Survey of India before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Archaeological Survey of India, Bengaluru Circle before travelling. Last reviewed 5 October 2026.
Location
How to Reach Lakshmi Devi Temple
Doddagaddavalli lies on the road from Hassan towards Belur, about 16 km from Hassan according to the Hassan district tourism guide. The ASI lists Hassan as the nearest railway station and bus station, and Bengaluru as the nearest airport. The district guide suggests combining the visit with Belur and Halebidu.
Location: Doddagaddavalli, Hassan, Karnataka, India
Nearest airport: Bengaluru (BLR)
Nearest railway station: Hassan
More in Hindu temples in Karnataka · Lakshmi (Mahalakshmi) temples · Temples in Doddagadduvalli · Temples in Hassan Taluk · Temples in Hassan District
Questions
Lakshmi Devi Temple: Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Lakshmi Devi Temple at Doddagaddavalli built?
The ASI dates it to 1113 CE, in the reign of the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana. Some accounts, including the Deccan Herald, give 1114 CE.
Who built the Doddagaddavalli temple?
It was commissioned by a merchant, Kullahana Rahuta, and his wife Sahaja Devi, according to the ASI.
Why is the Doddagaddavalli temple architecturally important?
The ASI describes it as the only Hoysala-period temple of the chatuskuta type, with four sanctums around a shared hall. Its towers also carry early examples of the Hoysala royal emblem.
Which deities are in the four shrines?
The east shrine has Lakshmi, the west a Shiva linga and the north Kali; the south shrine no longer has an image.
What are the vetala figures at Doddagaddavalli?
They are carved skeletal goblin figures in the vestibule of the Kali shrine, and are among the temple's best-known sculptures.
Is the Doddagaddavalli temple protected?
Yes. It is listed by the Archaeological Survey of India as a centrally protected Monument of National Importance.
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Wikidata Q4832985 — structured data (CC0)
- Wikipedia — Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli — text facts from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
- Archaeological Survey of India, Bengaluru Circle — Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli (archived 2019)
- Archaeological Survey of India — Alphabetical list of monuments: Karnataka (Bangalore Circle), archived 2015
- Hassan District Administration (NIC) — Hassan District Tourism: Golden Era tourist guide (archived)
- Deccan Herald — Doddagaddavalli temple (Spectrum feature, 16 March 2004, archived)
Further reading: Lakshmi Devi Temple on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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