Shri Pranaveshwara Temple
ಶ್ರೀ ಪ್ರಣವೇಶ್ವರ ದೇವಾಲಯ
Lord Shiva · Shivamogga, Karnataka
Ancient
About the temple
The ancestral cradle shrine of the Kadamba Dynasty (first indigenous empire of Karnataka); home to the celebrated 5th-century Talagunda Pillar Inscription of King Santivarman composed in exquisite classical Sanskrit verse. Traditional belief: Bestows academic wisdom, mastery over speech and education (Vidya), and liberation from ignorance.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:00 – 18:30
- Established
- 4
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
Deity
Lord Shiva · ଶିବ (Shiva)Ganesha FamilyAmmanavaru (Parvati)
- Deity form
- Ancient Swayambhu Shiva Lingam revered since the Satavahana-Kadamba epoch
- Religious tradition
- Vedic Shaiva Agamic Tradition
- Sanskrit name
- श्री प्रणवेश्वर मन्दिरम्
- Also known as
- Talagunda Shiva Temple, Sthanakundura Pranaveshwara, Kadamba Inscription Temple
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:00 AM - 06:30 PM
- Break timings
- Open continuously during daylight hours
- Special days
- Maha Shivaratri: 05:00 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 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
- Medieval
- Built by
- Kadambas of Banavasi (consecrated by Mayurasharma; renovated by Chalukyas)
- Architect / builder
- Pioneering stone carvers of the Kadamba-Chalukya era
- Construction materials
- Grey granite stone slabs and chloritic schist
- Historical events
- Talagunda (ancient Sthanakundura) was an ancient educational Agrahara where founder King Mayurasharma studied before establishing the Kadamba empire
- 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-B36)
- Legends
- Traditional belief: Consecrated to the primordial cosmic sound "Pranava" (Omkara) by ancient Vedic sages
- Inscriptions
- World-famous monolithic grey stone pillar inscription in box-headed Kadamba script composed by poet Kubja describing the origins of the Kadamba dynasty
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- 5th Century foundations with 11th Century Western Chalukyan modifications
- Structure
- Ancient stone sanctum with square garbhagriha, ardhamandapa, and detached historic inscription pillar in courtyard
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Kadamba-style stepped pyramidal stone Vimana shikhara
- Mandapa
- Pillared sabha mandapa with simple square stone columns
- Sculptural features
- Ancient Shiva Lingam on circular pitha; carved Nandi; life-size Mahishasuramardini relief
- Artistic elements
- Classic Kadamba door lintel carvings and the immaculate polished finish of the epigraphical pillar
- Construction technique
- Dry-stone granite and soapstone masonry
- Unique features
- The towering monolithic Talagunda pillar bearing the 5th-century inscription that forms the primary documentary bedrock of Karnataka’s recorded political history
Festivals & events
Maha ShivaratriKadambotsava commemorative days
- Festival calendar
- Magha Bahula Chaturdashi (Shivaratri)
- Special celebration days
- Every Monday, Pradosham
- Cultural events
- Historical lectures and poetry recitations during Kadambotsava
- Annual events
- Shivaratri pooja and village car festival
- Peak crowd season
- October to February
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
- 50+ vehicles
- Parking fees
- Free
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, Hundi
- Prasadam
- Vibhuti/Kumkum.