With Goa becoming the Hamptons of India, and the North Indian states chock full of tourists and hot restaurants, most travelers are looking for some peace farther south, to escape the incestuous socializing. Enter the famous temples in Karnataka.
The temple towns of Karnataka offer drowsy backwaters, rich heritage, and culture that take you back to a time when life was easier. Along with quaint homestays, and delicious local food, these towns showcase some of the most popular temples. As a result, this makes them vital Hindu pilgrimage sites that are a must-see.
If you’re looking to plan an entire trip around these iconic temples, (and we highly recommend it), below are some of the best temples in Karnataka you need to visit.
Tips for Visiting Famous Temples in Karnataka
- Hire a reliable tour company or a knowledgeable local guide to understand the symbolism behind these temples’ murals, paintings, and carvings.
- Respect temple customs. Make sure you remove your footwear, wear modest clothing, and avoid clicking photos where prohibited.
- Try to visit during the early hours of the morning to witness rituals and explore the surroundings peacefully.
Perfect Karnataka Temple List Itinerary
Planning the perfect Karnataka temple list itinerary is no easy task. This state offers several stunning temples. Out of these, there are only a handful that travelers recommend and are on the list.
Here are some of the most famous temples in Karnataka to visit for the first-time traveler.
1. Virupaksa Temple, Hampi
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this temple in Hampi pays an ode to Lord Shiva. It is one of the most famous temples in Karnataka. It showcases high gopuram and complex carvings.
2. Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
Chennakeshava Temple makes it to the Karnataka temple list for its exquisite Hoysala architecture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and offers detailed carvings including depictions of musicians, dancers, and scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Travelers can see the sanctum of the temple along with its elaborate pillars.
3. Murudeshwara Temple, Murudeshwar
Famous for its colossal Shiva statue overlooking the beautiful Arabian Sea, this temple is one of the most sought-after by travelers everywhere. It offers spirituality and scenic beauty making it one-of-a-kind.
4. Sringeri Mutt, Sringeri
Part of a few selected Karnataka tour packages, Sringeri Mutt was founded in the 8th century and stands on the bank of the Tunga River. This iconic structure houses two main temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Devi Saraswati. Both these temples are absolutely breathtaking and hold a high spiritual value to the devotees.
5. Gomateshwara Temple, Shravanabelagola
Fondly known as the ‘city of temples and ponds’ this place is famous as a Jain pilgrimage site. This South Indian temple in Karnataka houses a 58-foot-tall monolithic figure of Gomateshwara, the largest in the world.
Hampi and Badami: For Famous Temples in Karnataka
Among the other places in Karnataka, Hampi, Badami, and Vijayapura are a must-visit. These historical sites showcase sandstone hills that glow mellow in the afternoon sun and offer several heritage monuments and temple ruins that are a must-do if your itinerary allows it.
Below are some of the activities and things to do in these offbeat places.
Hampi
Hampi offers several ancient temples and ruins along with beautiful rock architecture and tourist attractions like the Tungabhadra Dam. This locale is fantastical and full of surprises.
Hampi offers the beautiful riverside Chandramouleshwara Temple. Visitors can take a boat to get to Rishimukha Island and view the temple on a full moon night.
What else can you do at Hampi? With so many wondrous temples to see in Hampi, here is a glimpse of a few unique ones you won’t be able to get enough of.
Look out for the stunning Virupaksa Temple, the only temple still used for worship. You can also visit the Vijaya Vitthala Temple. When you strike the temple pillars, they produce musical notes. This place also offers the Hazara Rama Temple, the walls of this temple chronicle the Ramayana.
How to get there? The drive from Badami to Hampi takes around three hours. You can also drive directly from Belgaum which is five hours away.
Badami
Badami, with its virtuoso sculptures and breathtaking landscape, is a must-visit for both the history buffs and the regular traveler. Travelers can start their journey from Badami from Belgaum Airport and travel through Aihole and Pattadakal before reaching Hampi.
Badami is famous for its rock-cut cave temples, beautiful frescoes, and intricate carvings.
What else can you do at Badami? There are five cave shrines at Badami, i.e. three Hindu, one Buddhist, and one Jain. You can also explore the lakeside 6th and 7th century Shiva temples and Shakambari Temple.
Travelers also like to visit the Durga Temple Complex and Shive Shrine at Aihole or Pattadakal which is chock full of UNESCO World Heritage Site monuments. Visitors can also visit Vijapur’s IIkal village to browse and purchase IIkal sarees.
How to get there? You can visit Badami from Belgaum or Bangalore during October or February when the weather is pleasant. Some travelers even drive down from Coorg, which is one of the best hill stations in India, for a more scenic journey.
Karnataka’s Temple of Wonders: Virupaksa Temple
Looking for a spiritual tour of South India temples? You cannot travel to Hampi and miss the Virupaksa Temple. Close to the Hampi Bazaar, this temple was built in the 14th Century and offers a giant 9-storied pastel tower or Gopura which is its primary highlight.
Travelers can also see Lakshmi, the temple elephant who blesses visitors by placing a flower garland on them. This temple is also a pilgrimage site and draws Lord Shiva devotees who travel here every year from far and wide.
Tips: If you plan to travel here on a pilgrimage, you can participate in temple rituals, and even visit other temples in the area like Horanadu or Sringeri in the Chikmagalur region.
Ancient Temples? Rugged Landscapes & Unscripted Adventures?
Our professionals at Anubhav Vacations design your entire vacation around your needs, tastes, and preferences. Just let us know that you are interested in famous temples in Karnataka, and we will handle everything else. We understand your interests are and make sure the package is tailored to your requirements. Our specialists spend a lot of time looking for offbeat locations and secret spots so that we can help plan a wonderful trip to South India for you.
