Shri Kedareshwara Swamy Temple

Temple information

Darshan timings

06:00 – 18:30

Established

11

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Trikutachala arrangement with Shiva Lingam in southern sanctum and Janardana Vishnu in western sanctum

Religious tradition

Kalamukha Shaiva Agamic Tradition & Hoysala Vaikhanasa

Sanskrit name

श्री केदारेश्वर मन्दिरम्

Also known as

Belagami Kedareshwara Gudi, Dakshina Kedara, Balligave Shiva Temple

Darshan hours

Daily

06:00 AM - 06:30 PM

Break timings

Open continuously during daylight hours

Special days

Maha Shivaratri, Allama Prabhu Jayanti: 05:30 AM - 08:30 PM

Festival timings

Open till 08:30 PM on Maha Shivaratri

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

06:30 AM

Midday aarti

12:00 PM

Evening aarti

06:00 PM

Special aarti days

Mondays, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri

Ritual schedule

Nitya Pooja, Rudrabhisheka, Archana, Deeparadhana by local hereditary archaka

Pooja timings

07:00 AM - 11:30 AM, 04:30 PM - 06:00 PM

Abhishek timings

07:00 AM - 08:30 AM

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

No

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Western Chalukyas of Kalyani & Hoysalas (patronized by Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana)

Architect / builder

Master sculptor Dasoja of Balligavi and the Ruvari guilds of Malnad

Construction materials

Chloritic schist (soapstone) of exquisite carving quality

Historical events

Birthplace of great 12th-century Sharana mystic Allama Prabhu and celebrated sculptors of Belur and Halebidu

Renovations

Protected monument conserved under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Bengaluru Circle

Archaeological importance

Centrally Protected Monument of National Importance (ASI Monument No. N-KA-B34)

Legends

Traditional belief: Revered as Dakshina Kedara where Kalamukha ascetics ran a celebrated residential university (Ghatikasthana)

Inscriptions

Over 80 magnificent stone epigraphs in Kannada prose and poetry recording endowments to the Kodiyamatha

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

Circa 1060 - 1140 CE

Structure

Trikutachala (triple-shrined) temple with three sanctums connected to a central Navaranga and ornate sabha mandapa

Floors

1

Gopuram

Three ornate stepped pyramidal soapstone vimana shikharas with the Hoysala crest (Sala slaying the lion)

Mandapa

Stunning Navaranga hall supported by lathe-turned mirror-finish soapstone pillars with carved ceiling domes

Sculptural features

Remarkable sculptures of Ashtadikpalas on ceilings, Mahishasuramardini, Gajasamharamurti, and intricately carved Nandi

Artistic elements

Elaborate perforated stone windows (Jalandhras), makara toranas, and multi-banded friezes of hamsas, elephants, and lions

Construction technique

Dry-stone interlocking soapstone masonry of unparalleled lapidary elegance

Unique features

Trikuta arrangement housing Shiva, Vishnu (Janardana), and Brahma/Surya under a unified celestial roof

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Magha Bahula Chaturdashi (Shivaratri)

Special celebration days

Every Monday, Pradosham

Cultural events

Vachana singing and classical Carnatic concerts during Allama Prabhu Jayanti

Annual events

Kedareshwara Jathara and Shivaratri Deepotsava

Peak crowd season

October to February (Malnad tourism season)

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

20-30 vehicles

Parking fees

Free

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, Hundi

Prasadam

Vibhuti/Kumkum.