Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple | Timings & Architecture

Amrutapura village, 67 km from Chikkamagalur town in Karnataka, Amruteshwar Temple had a peaceful location near the Bhadra river in the Malnadu regionAmrutapura Amruteshwar Temple timings are from 04:30 am to 06:00 pm.

About Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple

The temple had surrounded by coconut and palm groves. This temple was built in 1196 C.E. by Amruteshwara Dandanayak. The Mandir is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a Shivalinga made of saligram, a black stone brought from the Kandikewale River in Nepal.

Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple

With the rise of the Hoysalas in the 11th and 12th centuries, Malnadu experienced tremendous growth as many new cities were established around the area and many new temples were built.

The architecture of Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple 

Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple is built in Hoysala style and is magnificent. The outer walls of the temple have circular designs. The temple is monolithic in style, meaning it has only one flight. A closed mandapam is in front of the shrine, which leads to a large open mandapam. 

The gopuram atop the square shrine displays glorified sculptures and small bastions. Sukanasi bears the Hoysala emblem of Sala fighting a lion.

The inner mandapa of the temple had supported by glazed pillars, which had gopurams depicting floral designs. On the outer walls of the open mandapam, one can see 140 panels depicting scenes from great Indian epics.

On the south wall, 70 panels depict the Ramayana in a peculiar anti-clockwise pattern. Scenes on the south walls carve in a generally clockwise direction. It has 25 panels depicting scenes from Lord Krishna’s life, while the remaining 45 depict scenes from the epic Mahabharata.

Amruteshwar Temple had built in 1196 during the Hoysala period. Amritesvara Dandanayaka, the commander of the Hoysala army of King Vira Ballala II, built it. The famous Hoysala sculptor Ruvari Mallitamma started his career with this temple. 

The temple complex has a large stone inscription representing a fine example of medieval Kannada poetry.

History of Amriteshwar Temple, Chikmagalur

The Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple had built in the 12th century by commander Amriteswara Dandanayak during the reign of the Hoysala king Vira Ballala II. The rise of the Hoysalas also agreed with the spread of this particular design philosophy, which can still be seen throughout Karnataka today. 

Mallitamma is one of Karnataka’s most famous sculptors, and he had believed to have started his artistic career in Amritapura, which ushered in the golden age of architecture.

Descriptions of Epics in Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple

One of the temple’s most important sculptures can see on the south wall, a detailed depiction of events from the Ramayana, representing the linear chronology of the story in a counter-clockwise direction, which is very unusual.

On the north side are more panels depicting important Hindu mythology. Here the events of the Mahabharata had depicted in a clockwise direction, along with panels depicting the life of Krishna.

A stone inscription in the compound is considered a great example of Old Kannada poetry, a work attributed to Janna, one of the famous poets of the region.

Deity and rituals of the temple

The Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple’s presiding deity is Shiva, and the Shivalingam is a 300-year-old Trimurti from the Kandikewale River in Nepal. There is an idol of Goddess Sharada next to Shiva Lingam. Bilva Archana and Kumkuma Archana had important rituals performed in Amriteshwar Temple.

Amruthapura

Aksharabhyasam had also another ritual performed in this Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple. Devotees visit the Mandir for many reasons, including concerns for wealth and disease. It had also believed that children whose children are struggling in their studies could come here and perform a pooja. Among the few thank-you gifts left at the temple were sarees.

Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple Timings

Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple timings are from 04:30 am to 06:00 pm. The Temple Entry fee is free.

DaysTimings
Monday04:30 am to 06:00 pm
Tuesday04:30 am to 06:00 pm
Wednesday04:30 am to 06:00 pm
Thursday04:30 am to 06:00 pm
Friday04:30 am to 06:00 pm
Saturday04:30 am to 06:00 pm
Sunday04:30 am to 06:00 pm

Best Time to Visit

October to February is the Best Time to Visit Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple.

Nearby Temples to visit

  • Bhimalingeswara Temple had located in Kaivara, a small town in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka.
  • Bhoga Nandiswara Temple – Nandi Hills had located at an altitude of about 1500 meters above sea level and 45 km from Bangalore.
  • The Chamarajeshwara Temple in Chamarajanagar was considered one of the country’s most important places of Hinduism.
  • Channakesava Temple at Anekal in Bangalore Urban District is an excellent example of Vijayanagar temple architecture.
  • Gauriswara Temple, Yalandur – Yelandur was a major town during the Chola rule in Karnataka. Gauriswara Temple is the main pilgrim and tourist attraction here.

Hotels near Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple

  • Honeydewwz Exoticaa Hotel & Resort
  • Royal Orchid Central, Shimoga
  • Green View Clarks Inn
  • Harsha The Fern Shivamogga
  • Kimmane Golf Resort

Address

Amruthapura Village, Near Tarikere, Chikmagalur District – 577228, Karnataka, India.

How to Reach Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple?

By air:

The nearest airport by distance is Mangalore, 220 km away. However, despite being 282 km from Bangalore International Airport, travelling takes about the same time due to the long stretch of mostly open roads.

By train:

The nearest railway head to the Amrutapura Amruteshwar Temple is Tarikere, 11 km away. From the railway station, it is a short 20-minute drive to the temple via NH206. Trains between Shimoga, Bangalore, and Mysore cities usually stop at Tarikere.

By road:

From Bangalore city, the best way to reach the temple by road is via NH79 and SH24, with stops including Tumkur. It is a journey of 260 kilometres and takes around 5 hours. One can reach Shimoga by bus and find local transport to the temple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who built Amriteshwar Temple?

Located 110 km from Hassan and fifty km from Shimoga on NH 206, Amritapura is famous for the Amriteshwar Temple. The Mandir had built in 1196 C.E. by Amritesvara Dandanayaka (lit, “commander”) under the Hoysala king Vira Ballala II.

Which is the famous temple in Chikkamagaluru?

About two km. From Chikkamagaluru Hiremagalur, where Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple had located. This temple had made famous by “Kannada Pujari” Sri Kannan. It is the first temple dedicated to Lord Rama in South India.

When was the Amriteshwar Temple built?

Amriteshwar Temple had a 1200-year-old carved Shiva temple located in Ratanwadi, Maharashtra. The Silahara dynasty built this beautiful temple in the 9th century C.E.

Which is the number 1 largest temple in Karnataka?

Nanjundeswara Temple (also known as Srikantheswara Temple) is an ancient mandir dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Hindu shrine of Nanjanagud in Karnataka, India.