Amriteswara Temple is a beautiful temple at
Amrithapura in the
Chikmagalur District of
Karnataka. Built by Amitayya Dannayaka in 1196, it displays the architectural excellence of the Hoysala period.
Lord Shiva is the presiding deity. The temple has a garbhagriha, sukhanasi, navaranga, porch and a mukhamantapa. The garbhagriha has seven steps of indented squares, each step fully-ornamented with kirtimukhas. The highly-polished pillars supporting the large navaranga ceilings and architecture of its mukhamantapa are the exquisite part of the Hoysala architecture. The parapet wall is adorned with minute carvings of kirtimukhas, floral scrolls and sculptures of gods and goddesses. On the sukhanasi projection of the tower, there is a large panel of Shiva killing the demon Gajasura.
Amrithapura is about 67 km north of
Chikmagalur.
