Temple Description

The Kedareshvara temple, also known as Kedareshwara or Kedaresvara, is situated in Balligavi, a town close to Shikaripura in Karnataka’s Shimoga district, India. Historically significant, Balligavi was a prominent city during the 11th and 12th centuries under the Western Chalukya dynasty. It was referred to as Anadi Rajadhani (ancient capital) in medieval inscriptions, indicating its long historical importance. Art historian Adam Hardy attributes the temple’s architectural style to the “Later Chalukya, non-mainstream, but relatively close to mainstream” category, dating it to the late 11th century with some additions made by the Hoysalas up to 1131. The temple is constructed from soapstone, and the Archaeological Survey of India categorizes its architecture as distinctly Hoysala. During this period, the Hoysala dynasty was a powerful subordinate of the Western Chalukya Empire, only gaining significant independence with King Vishnuvardhana (1108-1152 A.D). The temple is recognized as a monument of national significance by the Archaeological Survey of India