Pranavesvara Temple, Talagunda, Karnataka

Pranavesvara Temple, Talagunda, Karnataka

Pranavesvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Talagunda Village in Shikaripura Taluk in Shivamogga District in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/01/pranavesvara-temple-talagunda-history.html

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum and ardha mandapa. Both the sanctum and ardha mandapa are square on plan. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Pranavesvara / Pranava Lingeshwara in the form of huge Shiva Linga on bhadra pitha. The doorjambs of the sanctum doorway is said to have been carved from the inscriptional slabs with early Kadamba inscriptions. The doorjambs might have been made in 11^th century CE. The pillar is located in front of the temple. The famous Talagunda pillar inscription is engraved on this hard grey granite pillar.

The pillar is about 1.635 metres (5.36 ft) high with a 0.4 metres (1.3 ft) square top. It is octagonal shaft that slightly tapers and narrows as it goes up. The width of the octagonal face is 0.178 metres (0.58 ft). The inscription is on all faces, but on 7 of the 8 faces, it consists of two vertical lines that start at the bottom of the pillar. On the eighth face, there is just one short line.  Hero stones, Nandis, Nagas, Lingas and architectural fragments can be found scattered in the temple premises.

Talagunda Pillar Inscription

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/01/pranavesvara-temple-talagunda-talagunda-pillar-inscription.html

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 4 Kms from Balligavi, 7 Kms from Shiralakoppa, 20 Kms from Hirekerur, 23 Kms from Soraba, 27 Kms from Shikaripura, 46 Kms from Sagara Railway Station, 78 Kms from Shivamogga and 134 Kms from Hubballi Airport. The temple is situated at about 7 Kms to the north of Shiralakoppa on Hirekerur to Soraba route.

Location