Keladi Rameshwara Temple

The quaint temple town of Keladi is located about 8 km away from the town of Sagar in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. Known for the famous Rameshwara Temple, Keladi was once the capital of the Keladi rulers (or Nayakas), a feudatory of Vijayanagara Empire. Constructed in the Hoysala-Dravida style, the temple is magnificent with a number of unique features. The temple built by the ruler Chowdappa Nayaka has three main shrines, namely that of Rameshwara, Parvati and Veerabhadra. The specialty of the Parvati temple is its exquisite ceiling that is covered with intricate flower patterns carved from wood, of which no two are the same.
The Veerabhadra temple has some really rare sculptures like that of the Gods of the nine planets aka ‘Navagraha’ as well as the serpent motif or ‘Nagamandala’. The statue of Daksha Prajapati, featuring goat-head and the awe-inspiring carvings of ‘Vastu Purush’ (god of structures), are some of the rare examples of artistry found here. The massive 24-feet pillar or Mahasthambha in the backyard which has Ganesha deity with Rani Chennamma paying respects, along with her consorts, is yet another highlight of the temple.
The Keladi Museum and Historical Research Bureau located close by is worth a visit to take a look at some of the unique exhibits and manuscripts pertaining to the Nayaka reign.