Brahmeshvara Temple, Kikkeri

The Brahmeshvara temple stands in Kikkeri village in Krishnarajapet taluk, Mandya district, about 15 km south-west of Shravanabelagola, near the historic reservoir now called Kikkeri lake. It was completed in 1171 in the reign of the Hoysala king Narasimha I, by a woman, Bammave Nayakiti. Tradition says the deity was moved here from the older Malleswara temple, whose foundations kept flooding. The state archaeology department protects it.

Dedicated to Shiva, the east-facing temple brings together Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakta traditions with Vedic deities. Its outer walls carry miniature shrines that illustrate temple architecture from across India, Nagara, Dravida, Vesara and Bhumija, and inside the bulging navaranga mandapa are figures in classical dance postures; scholars rate the carving highly. Much of the artwork has been deliberately defaced. A Devi shrine with notable pilaster carving, probably a few decades later, stands in the same complex, and Kikkeri also has Janardhana, Malleswara and Narasimha temples.