Vijayanarayana Temple, Gundlupet

The Vijayanarayana Temple in Gundlupet, Chamarajanagar district, dates from the rule of the Western Ganga dynasty in the 10th century and continued to receive patronage up to the Vijayanagara period in the 15th century. By tradition, the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana consecrated its deity, Vijayanarayana, a form of Vishnu.

The temple has a sanctum, a vestibule leading to a closed hall for worshippers and an open hall with ornate pillars that seems to have altered the original north and south entrances. Slender pilasters rise from the moulded base of the walls, and a row of yali pillars showing warriors riding lions lines the entrance. Free-standing sculptures include Anantha, Garuda and Hanuman.