Shri Thripuranthakeshwara 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

Ancient stone Shiva Lingam inside inner sanctum with erotic and mythological friezes on exterior walls

Religious tradition

Agamic Shaiva Tradition & Pancharatra Influence

Sanskrit name

श्री त्रिपुरान्तक मन्दिरम्

Also known as

Balligavi Tripurantakeshwara Temple, Erotic Sculptures Temple of Balligavi

Darshan hours

Daily

06:00 AM - 06:30 PM

Break timings

Open continuously during daylight hours

Special days

Maha Shivaratri: 05:30 AM - 08:00 PM

Festival timings

Open till 08:00 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, Maha Shivaratri

Ritual schedule

Nitya Pooja, Deeparadhana by local archaka

Pooja timings

07:00 AM - 11:00 AM, 04:30 PM - 05:45 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 (reign of Someshwara II / Vikramaditya VI)

Architect / builder

Master soapstone sculptors of the Balligavi school

Construction materials

Chloritic schist (soapstone) of exquisite plasticity

Historical events

Part of the flourishing medieval temple university city of Balligavi; celebrated in Chalukyan records as an architectural wonder

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-B33)

Legends

Traditional belief: Shiva manifested as Tripurantaka to destroy the three celestial cities of bronze, silver, and gold that harbored cosmic tyranny

Inscriptions

Inscriptions on pillar bases and loose slabs recording land grants to temple priests and dancers

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

Circa 1070 - 1080 CE

Structure

Double-shrined structural stone temple with sanctums, closed navaranga, open pillared hall, and ornate doorway screens

Floors

1

Gopuram

Stepped stone Vimana tower above the primary sanctum

Mandapa

Pillared Navaranga hall supported by beautifully turned lathe-finished soapstone columns

Sculptural features

Remarkable pierced stone windows (Jalandhras) featuring dancing Shiva; intricate narrative panels depicting the Panchatantra (swan and tortoise, monkey and wedge)

Artistic elements

Elaborate friezes of Mithuna (erotic couples), scrollwork, celestial musicians (Gandharvas), and Ashtadikpalas

Construction technique

Dry-stone interlocking soapstone masonry with micro-carved narrative relief panels

Unique features

Earliest surviving stone depiction of Panchatantra moral tales on a Hindu temple exterior in South India

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Magha Bahula Chaturdashi (Shivaratri)

Special celebration days

Every Monday

Cultural events

Devotional bhajans on Shivaratri

Annual events

Shivaratri pooja by local village committee

Peak crowd season

October to February

Visitor information

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

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.