Temple Description

Kalasa is a taluk situated in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, known for the Kalaseshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It lies 92 kilometers southwest of Chikmagalur on the banks of the Bhadra River, with Kannada and Tulu being the primary languages spoken there.

The Santara dynasty is significant in the history of this region. This medieval ruling dynasty, which controlled much of the Tuluva area before the rise of the Vijayanagara Empire, was influential in the area. According to Edgar Thurston, the Santaras were notable Bunt chiefs who exerted considerable influence. They were Jains and established connections through marriage with the Saivite Alupa royal family of the Canara region. The Santaras contributed to the spread of Jainism in Tulu Nadu and Malenadu by constructing several Jain monuments, including the famous monolith of Bahubali in Karkala, erected by the Santara ruler Veera Pandya Bhairarasa.