The oldest part of the temple is the inner sanctum, the vestibule and navranga mandapa – a small pillared hall. They exhibit a different style from the rest of the temple and can be said to date back to the Cholas, around the 10th - 12th century CE.
A second phase of construction saw a concentric path built around the inner core of the temple. The addition of this pradakshina patha led to the floor level being raised, confining the pranala (water spout) of the original shrine below it.
The maha mandapa was added during the 1500s or 1600s. It has wonderful stone columns with elaborately carved sculptures and yalis that evoke a feeling of being in the old ruined city of Vijayanagar, Hampi.
A towering gopura with a vast array of sculptures, and a kalyani, were also likely added around the same time as the mahamandapa.
The Kamakshi Shrine probably dates to the 17th or 18th century, when the region was under the Wodeyars of Mysore.
The oldest part of the temple is the inner sanctum, the vestibule and navranga mandapa – a small pillared hall. They exhibit a different style from the rest of the temple and can be said to date back to the Cholas, around the 10th - 12th century CE.
A second phase of construction saw a concentric path built around the inner core of the temple. The addition of this pradakshina patha led to the floor level being raised, confining the pranala (water spout) of the original shrine below it.
The maha mandapa was added during the 1500s or 1600s. It has wonderful stone columns with elaborately carved sculptures and yalis that evoke a feeling of being in the old ruined city of Vijayanagar, Hampi.
A towering gopura with a vast array of sculptures, and a kalyani, were also likely added around the same time as the mahamandapa.
The Kamakshi Shrine probably dates to the 17th or 18th century, when the region was under the Wodeyars of Mysore.
Over several centuries, the temple expanded and evolved to arrive at its present magnificent form.
