Tarakeshwara Temple, Hangal

The Tarakeshwara Temple in Hangal, Haveri district, is a group of Hindu shrines centred on Shiva as Tarakeshwara, with further shrines to Nandi and Ganesha. The Chalukyas of Kalyana, Deccan rulers between the 10th and 12th centuries, built it around 1050 or in the mid-12th century, in grey-green chloritic schist. It is said to be among the best buildings in their Hoysala-influenced style, and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Facing the idol is an octagonal hall 9 metres across, called the lotus of Hangal: a single stone 6 metres wide, cut as a lotus, forms its ceiling on eight pillars, each paired with a sculpted guardian of the directions. A 12-pillared Nandi hall and its neighbour have sloping seat-balconies, lathe-turned columns and stepped-pyramid roofs, with walls covered in miniature temples. The Ganesha shrine has a nagara tower, and three memorial stones and a 12th-century hero stone show religious and battle scenes.