Amrutesvara Temple Amruthapura - Lord Shiva Temple

Located around 70 km North of Chikmagalur towards Shimoga, this Shiva temple in Amruthapura village is an epitome of craftsmanship of the Hoysalas. The village is in a peaceful place near the Bhadra river cistern, surrounded by coconut and palm plantations. The temple was constructed by Amrutheshwara Dandanayaka under the guidance of king Veera Ballala II in the 12th century. This exquisite Amrutesvara temple consists of a sanctum, a vestibule, a dance hall with a porch on its Southern side and a main hall with entrances on its three sides. More than a hundred miniature temple towers are carved on the parapet wall of the main hall. The upper part of the railing is slanted with bands displaying various mythological stories, mostly Ramayana.

The timeline of the story is represented in an anti clockwise direction which is quite unusual. On the other side, there are depictions about the great Mahabharatha but this time in the correct sequence. The main hall also has miniature temple towers in big and small sizes in alternate fashion carved on its parapet. Some turrets show curvilinear rising which is peculiar as such a design is not frequent in Hoysala temples. The dance hall is divided into 9 bays with the paintings of various Hindu Gods. The temple has a main tower of 7 tiered scripted with the Hoysala emblem. The stone inscriptions in the complex represent a fine example of medieval Kannada poetry. Though off the route, an effort to visit this temple will be rewarded.