Bhimeshvara Temple, Nilagunda

The Bhimeshvara temple stands in the town of Nilagunda, or Neelagunda, in Davangere district, Karnataka. The Archaeological Survey of India dates the building to the late 11th century, under the Western Chalukyas, while the art historian Adam Hardy dates it to the 12th century and sees Hoysala influence. Built of soapstone, it has the protected status of a national monument.

The temple has four shrines, three of them opening off a common hall, but only the main west-facing shrine keeps its three-tiered Vesara tower, each tier marked by a kirtimukha above a figure of Shiva. The outer walls are broken into niches holding miniature towers, a style of decoration Percy Brown called exceptionally well rendered. The sanctum doorways carry Shaiva guardians with fly-whisk bearers, a small Nandi faces the west shrine, and niches inside hold Ganesha, Mahishasuramardini and the Saptamatrikas. Four polished lathe-turned pillars support the hall ceiling.