Ishvara Temple, Arasikere, Hindu temple in Arasikere, India
Ishvara Temple is a Hindu temple in Arasikere, Karnataka, listed as a Monument of National Importance. It is known for its sixteen-pointed star-shaped floor plan, which combines three different types of star points to give the building an irregular yet coherent form.
The temple was built around 1220 CE during the Hoysala dynasty, a period when stone craftsmen constructed many temples across what is now Karnataka. Arasikere was an active religious town at the time, and this temple is one of several surviving examples from that era still standing in the area.
The temple is dedicated to Shiva and holds a Shiva linga in its inner sanctum, with a carved Nandi figure placed in the vestibule just before it. Devotees regularly visit to offer flowers and prayers, making the space feel genuinely active rather than purely ceremonial.
The temple sits east of Hassan city and is reachable by bus or private vehicle, so checking local schedules before heading out is a good idea. Since Arasikere is a small town, allow extra time for the return journey, especially later in the day.
Unlike most Hoysala temples, which use simpler star shapes, this one combines three distinct types of points within the same star plan, making it a rare experiment within the Hoysala building tradition. The mantapa hall also follows a rotating circular floor pattern, which is rarely seen in the region.
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