With breathtaking carvings and lavishly displaying architectural ingenuity of yesteryears, Kalasheswara Temple is located in Kalasa of
Chikmagalur District,
Karnataka. This 1000-year-old temple perched atop a hillock is dedicated to
Lord Shiva.
Legend says that Lord Shiva came to Kalasa to give ‘darshan’ to the great Saint Vashista. Built in Vijayanagar style, the sanctum sanctorum houses a linga, which is slanting towards north. The navaranga, with doors on north and south, has 16-sided wheel-topped granite pillars. The mukha-mandapa is supported by four plain pillars inside and two lion-pillars in front.
There is also a Ganesh Temple built in Hoysala style in the complex. Girijamba Temple located nearby is another ancient shrine.
The annual festival at the temple takes place for three days during February or March.
