Keladi Rameshwara Temple, Sagar

Keladi is a small village, located at a distance of around 10 km from Sagar town. Keladi was chosen as the first capital of Keladi Nayakas (1500 AD). The capital was then shifted to the nearby Ikkeri village by the successive rulers. Constructed in the Hoysala-Dravidian style, the temple was built in the 16th century by the Chowdappa Nayaka after the disintegration of the Vijayanagara empire. Keladi Rameshwara Temple has three main shrines, namely Rameshwara, Parvati and Veerabhadra, though the temple is commonly called by the name ‘Rameshwara’. The temple houses a variety of carvings which are not common everywhere. The fact is that, it was one local queen named ‘Keladi Chennamma’, who bravely fought the Sultan warrior Aurangzeb and protected this temple against devastation. Keladi Nayakas had trade relations with China and so, one Chinese traveller’s sculptor is found in the temple premises.

All possible temple tower types are carved onto the interior walls, with each one different from the rest. There is a secret passage available to the adjacent Veerabhadra temple. All kinds of animal hybrids are carved on that passage including camels. The wooden ceiling on the Parvathi temple has every flower petal unique. Various musical instruments too are carved on the wooden ceiling. The wood used here is a type of sandalwood of rich value. The massive 24 feet pillar in the backyard which has Ganesh deity with queen Rani Chennamma paying respects with her consorts is yet another highlight of the temple. The temple has the ceiling dedicated to ‘Gandaberunda’, a twin-headed bird which is believed to have magical power as per Hindu mythology. It is used as the official state emblem of Karnataka. The temple is under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India.