Kalleshvara Temple, Bagali, Hindu temple in Bagali, India

Kalleshvara Temple is a shrine in Bagali with a central sanctuary and a gathering hall supported by fifty decorated pillars. The entire structure is covered with fine stone carvings that demonstrate the craftsmanship of its time.

Construction began in the mid-10th century under the Rashtrakuta Dynasty, and the temple was expanded around 987 CE during the reign of Western Chalukya king Tailapa II. An individual named Duggimayya consecrated it. Thirty-six old Kannada inscriptions, mostly records of donations, were found on the premises.

The village name Bagali appears as Balgali in the old Kannada inscriptions, and the temple is still called Kalleshvara after Shiva, its main deity. The closed hall holds loose late Chalukya sculptures of Shiva, Uma-Maheshvara with Parvati, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Surya, Anantasayana, Sarasvati and Mahishamardini, which visitors can examine up close.

This shrine is located in Bagali village and can be reached easily by local transport from nearby towns. Visitors should expect simple pathways and open outdoor spaces when exploring the site.

The doorjambs of this shrine feature a carved image of the goddess Lakshmi surrounded by elephants, known as Gajalakshmi. This motif comes from an earlier architectural period and reveals crafting techniques passed down through generations.