Karnataka is one of India’s important temple and pilgrimage destinations, with ancient shrines, historic temple towns, sacred rivers, hill temples and magnificent architectural monuments. From the famous Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, Murudeshwar, Gokarna and Kukke Subrahmanya to the historic temples of Hampi, Belur, Halebidu, Somanathapura and Pattadakal, Karnataka offers a wide variety of spiritual and heritage experiences. Karnataka Tourism highlights destinations including Udupi, Sringeri, Horanadu, Dharmasthala, Murudeshwar, Melukote, Nanjangudu and Talakadu among the state's important spiritual destinations.
This guide from Hindu Temple Yatra covers famous Hindu temples, pilgrimage centres, temple towns and sacred places across Karnataka.
Famous Temples in Karnataka
1. Udupi Sri Krishna Temple – Udupi
Deity: Lord Krishna
Location: Udupi
One of Karnataka's most revered Vaishnava pilgrimage centres, Udupi Sri Krishna Temple is associated with Sri Madhvacharya and the Dvaita tradition. The Krishna idol is traditionally viewed through the Navagraha Kitiki window.
2. Murudeshwar Temple – Murudeshwar
Deity: Lord Shiva
Location: Uttara Kannada
Famous for its enormous Shiva statue, coastal setting and towering Raja Gopuram, Murudeshwar is an important Shiva pilgrimage destination. Karnataka Tourism also describes its connection with the Atmalinga tradition.
3. Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple – Gokarna
Deity: Lord Shiva
Location: Uttara Kannada
Gokarna is a major Shiva pilgrimage centre and is traditionally associated with the Atmalinga. The town is also known for nearby sacred sites such as Maha Ganapati Temple.
4. Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple – Subrahmanya
Deity: Lord Subrahmanya
Location: Dakshina Kannada
Situated amid the Western Ghats, Kukke Subrahmanya is an important pilgrimage centre associated with Subrahmanya worship and traditional serpent-related rituals.
5. Dharmasthala Sri Manjunatha Temple – Dharmasthala
Deity: Lord Manjunatha (Shiva)
Location: Dakshina Kannada
Dharmasthala is a prominent pilgrimage centre on the banks of the Netravati River and is known for its distinctive tradition of religious harmony.
6. Chamundeshwari Temple – Mysuru
Deity: Goddess Chamundeshwari
Location: Chamundi Hill, Mysuru
One of the best-known temples of Mysuru, the temple is situated on Chamundi Hill and is an important Shakti shrine.
7. Virupaksha Temple – Hampi
Deity: Lord Virupaksha (Shiva)
Location: Hampi, Vijayanagara
The Virupaksha Temple is an important living temple within the historic Hampi landscape and is associated with the architectural heritage of the Vijayanagara period. Karnataka Tourism lists it among the state's important spiritual and heritage temples.
8. Vittala Temple – Hampi
Deity: Lord Vittala (Vishnu)
Location: Hampi
The Vittala Temple is famous for its monumental architecture, stone chariot and celebrated musical pillars. It forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of Hampi.
9. Chennakeshava Temple – Belur
Deity: Lord Vishnu
Location: Belur, Hassan District
A magnificent Hoysala-era temple known for its detailed stone sculptures and architectural craftsmanship. Karnataka Tourism identifies Belur as an important spiritual and heritage destination.
10. Hoysaleswara Temple – Halebidu
Deity: Lord Shiva
Location: Halebidu, Hassan District
Hoysaleswara Temple is one of Karnataka's outstanding examples of Hoysala architecture and remains an active place of worship.
Major Shiva Temples in Karnataka
- Murudeshwar Temple – Murudeshwar
- Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple – Gokarna
- Sri Manjunatha Temple – Dharmasthala
- Nanjundeshwara Temple – Nanjangudu
- Virupaksha Temple – Hampi
- Hoysaleswara Temple – Halebidu
- Omkareshwara Temple – Madikeri
- Aghoreshwara Temple – Ikkeri
- Kalaseshwara Temple – Kalasa
- Sri Malahanikareshwara Temple – Kigga
- Kadri Manjunatha Temple – Mangaluru
- Kudalasangameshwara Temple – Kudalasangama
- Kedareshwara Temple – Halebidu
- Ramanatheshwara Temple – Rameshwara area
- Kotilingeshwara Temple – Kolar District
- Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple – Nandi Hills area
- Someshwara Temple – Bengaluru
- Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple – Bengaluru
- Dakshina Kashi Nanjangudu Temple – Nanjangudu
- Sri Kanteshwara Temple – Nanjangudu
Karnataka Tourism specifically lists Nanjangudu, Murudeshwar, Kalasa, Horanadu, Sringeri, Dharmasthala and other destinations among Karnataka's important spiritual sites.
Shakti & Devi Temples in Karnataka
- Chamundeshwari Temple – Mysuru
- Kollur Mookambika Temple – Kollur
- Kateel Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple – Kateel
- Horanadu Sri Annapoorneshwari Temple – Horanadu
- Banashankari Amma Temple – Badami
- Yellamma Temple – Saundatti
- Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple – Dharmasthala region
- Nimishamba Temple – Srirangapatna
- Hasanamba Temple – Hassan
- Shree Annapoorneshwari Temple – Horanadu
- Sowmyakeshava/Devi shrines – regional temple traditions
- Marikamba Temple – Sirsi
- Mahalakshmi Temple – Doddagadavahalli
- Mookambika Temple – Kollur
- Durga Temple – Aihole
Karnataka Tourism lists Mookambika, Horanadu, Nimishamba and Durga Parameshwari among the state's spiritual attractions.
Vishnu & Vaishnava Temples
Important Vishnu Temples
- Udupi Sri Krishna Temple – Udupi
- Chennakeshava Temple – Belur
- Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple – Melukote
- Ranganathaswamy Temple – Srirangapatna
- Vittala Temple – Hampi
- Veera Narayana Temple – Belavadi
- Lakshmi Narasimha Temple – Devarayanadurga
- Yoga Narasimha Temple – Devarayanadurga
- Bhoga Narasimha Temple – Devarayanadurga
- Lakshmi Narasimha Temple – Hosaholalu
- Narasimha Temple – Seebi
- Parthasarathy Temple – Bengaluru
- Venugopala Swamy Temple – Hoysala region
- Ranganatha Temple – Magadi
- Kote Venkataramana Temple – Bengaluru
Melukote is particularly important as a Vaishnava pilgrimage town and is known for the Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple and its association with Sri Ramanujacharya.
Subrahmanya, Hanuman & Other Important Temples
Kukke Subrahmanya
Location: Subrahmanya, Dakshina Kannada
A major pilgrimage centre dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya, surrounded by the Western Ghats. The temple is also known for traditional serpent-related rituals.
Ghati Subramanya Temple
Location: Doddaballapur area
A famous shrine where Lord Subramanya and Lord Narasimha are worshipped together. Karnataka Tourism identifies it as a dual-deity shrine.
Anjanadri Hill
Location: Anegundi, Koppal
Anjanadri Hill is traditionally associated with the birthplace of Lord Hanuman and is an important pilgrimage destination in the Hampi-Anegundi region.
Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple
Location: Hampi
A famous Hanuman shrine associated with the Hampi pilgrimage circuit.
Important Temple Towns of Karnataka
Udupi
- Sri Krishna Temple
- Anantheshwara Temple
- Chandramouleshwara Temple
- Other historic temples and Mutts
Gokarna
- Mahabaleshwar Temple
- Maha Ganapati Temple
- Bhadrakali Temple
- Other sacred shrines
Hampi
- Virupaksha Temple
- Vittala Temple
- Achyutaraya Temple
- Hazara Rama Temple
- Krishna Temple
- Kodandarama Temple
Mysuru
- Chamundeshwari Temple
- Nanjangud nearby
- Suttur and other regional pilgrimage sites
Hassan
- Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
- Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu
- Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Javagal
- Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi
- Hasanamba Temple
Karnataka Tourism identifies Hassan and the surrounding Belur-Halebidu region as an important concentration of ancient temples and heritage architecture.
Temple & Heritage Circuit – Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal
Badami
- Banashankari Temple
- Bhutanatha Temples
- Mallikarjuna Temple
Aihole
- Durga Temple
- Lad Khan Temple
- Meguti Jain Temple
- Jyotirlinga Temple
- Mallikarjuna Group
Pattadakal
- Virupaksha Temple
- Mallikarjuna Temple
- Sangameshwara Temple
- Chandrashekhara Temple
- Papanatha Temple
- Jain Temple
Badami–Aihole–Pattadakal can be developed as a dedicated heritage and temple circuit on Hindu Temple Yatra.
Coastal Karnataka Temple Circuit
The coastal belt has several major pilgrimage centres:
- Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
- Kollur Mookambika Temple
- Murudeshwar Temple
- Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple
- Kukke Subrahmanya Temple
- Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
- Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple
- Kadri Manjunatha Temple
- Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple
- Sringeri Sharada Temple
Karnataka Tourism highlights coastal and Western Ghats pilgrimage destinations such as Murudeshwar, Kateel, Horanadu, Sringeri and Dharmasthala.
Bengaluru – Famous Temples
- ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple – Bengaluru
- Bull Temple / Dodda Basavana Gudi – Bengaluru
- Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple – Bengaluru
- Someshwara Temple – Bengaluru
- Banashankari Amma Temple – Bengaluru
- Kote Venkataramana Temple – Bengaluru
- Dharmaraya Swamy Temple – Bengaluru
- Ranganathaswamy Temple – Magadi
- Parthasarathy Temple – Bengaluru
- Dodda Ganapathi Temple – Bengaluru
Mysuru & Nearby Temples
- Chamundeshwari Temple – Mysuru
- Nanjundeshwara Temple – Nanjangudu
- Ranganathaswamy Temple – Srirangapatna
- Nimishamba Temple – Srirangapatna
- Prasanna Krishnaswamy Temple – Mysuru
- Trineshwara Temple – Mysuru
- Someshwara Temple – Srirangapatna
- Venugopala Swamy Temple – Srirangapatna region
- Yoga Narasimha Temple – Melukote
- Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple – Melukote
Hoysala Temple Circuit
For readers interested in temple architecture and history, create a dedicated Hoysala Temple Yatra:
Belur → Halebidu → Somanathapura → Belavadi → Javagal → Mosale
Major temples include:
- Chennakeshava Temple – Belur
- Hoysaleswara Temple – Halebidu
- Keshava Temple – Somanathapura
- Veera Narayana Temple – Belavadi
- Lakshmi Narasimha Temple – Javagal
- Nageshwara & Chennakeshava Temples – Mosale
Karnataka Tourism specifically highlights the architectural importance of Chennakeshava and Hoysaleswara temples.
Important Pilgrimage Circuits in Karnataka
1. Coastal Karnataka Yatra
Udupi → Kollur → Murudeshwar → Gokarna
2. Dakshina Karnataka Yatra
Dharmasthala → Kukke Subrahmanya → Kateel → Mangaluru
3. Hampi Temple Yatra
Virupaksha → Vittala → Hazara Rama → Krishna Temple → Achyutaraya → Anjanadri
4. Hoysala Temple Yatra
Belur → Halebidu → Somanathapura → Belavadi → Javagal
5. Mysuru Spiritual Circuit
Chamundeshwari → Srirangapatna → Nimishamba → Nanjangudu → Melukote
6. North Karnataka Heritage Circuit
Badami → Aihole → Pattadakal → Kudalasangama
7. Western Ghats Spiritual Circuit
Sringeri → Horanadu → Kalasa → Dharmasthala → Kukke Subrahmanya
Other Temples to Add to the Karnataka Directory
For the gradual expansion of your website, these can become individual temple posts:
- Sri Sharadamba Temple – Sringeri
- Vidyashankara Temple – Sringeri
- Annapoorneshwari Temple – Horanadu
- Kalaseshwara Temple – Kalasa
- Malahanikareshwara Temple – Kigga
- Kadri Manjunatha Temple – Mangaluru
- Durga Parameshwari Temple – Kateel
- Aghoreshwara Temple – Ikkeri
- Omkareshwara Temple – Madikeri
- Nimishamba Temple – Srirangapatna
- Nanjundeshwara Temple – Nanjangudu
- Melukote Cheluvanarayana Temple
- Hasanamba Temple – Hassan
- Banashankari Temple – Badami
- Durga Temple – Aihole
- Virupaksha Temple – Pattadakal
- Mallikarjuna Temple – Pattadakal
- Koodalasangameshwara Temple – Kudalasangama
- Ghati Subramanya Temple
- Devarayanadurga Narasimha Temples
- Seebi Narasimha Swamy Temple
- Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple – Hampi
- Achyutaraya Temple – Hampi
- Hazara Rama Temple – Hampi
- Krishna Temple – Hampi
- Kodandarama Temple – Hampi
- Ranganathaswamy Temple – Srirangapatna
- Lakshmi Narasimha Temple – Hosaholalu
- Veera Narayana Temple – Belavadi
- Lakshmi Narasimha Temple – Javagal
Karnataka Tourism's temple directory also includes temples such as Yantrodharaka, Virupaksha, Udupi Sri Krishna, Mookambika, Manjunatha, Melukote, Kukke Subrahmanya, Horanadu, Aghoreshwara, Durga Parameshwari and others.
Festivals & Religious Celebrations
Important festivals associated with Karnataka's temples include:
- Mysuru Dasara – Chamundeshwari Temple
- Krishna Janmashtami – Udupi
- Mahashivaratri – Shiva temples across Karnataka
- Nagaradhane / serpent worship traditions – coastal Karnataka
- Subrahmanya festivals – Kukke Subrahmanya
- Navaratri – Devi temples
- Deepavali
- Ugadi
- Rathotsava / Temple Car Festivals
- Annual Jatre celebrations
Festival dates and temple programmes can vary each year, so visitors should check the temple's current official information before travelling.
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