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Keladi

Keladi is a temple and historical town located near Sagar in Shimoga district.

Keladi was once the capital of the Keladi rulers also called as Keladi Nayakas, a feudatory of Vijayanagara Empire. After the breakdown of Vijayanagara Empire in the Battle of Talikota, the Keladi Nayakas formed an independent kingdom and it remained until it was captured by Hyder Ali. Shivappa Nayaka and Chennamma were the rulers of Keladi kingdom.

The main attraction of Keladi is Rameshwara Temple which is constructed in the Hoysala-Dravida style.

Rameswara Temple

In the outset as you enter the Rameshwara temple, it appears like a building with a normal covered roof structure looming out in the middle of the street.

On entering inside the complex you notice transformation into a very old structure. The temple houses three deities, Lord Rameswara (Linga and Nandi), Lord Veerabhadra and Lord Ganesh. The pillars are superbly adorned with legendary gods as well as animals. At the ceiling you can find the legendary (imaginary) two headed bird called Garudabande.

You can also find the statue of Rani Channamma. You can observe Rani Chenamma is riding a horse. Underneath Lord Ganesh, Rani Chenamma is paying respect accompanied by her consorts. At the back of the temple complex that is more or less facing the entrance a picture of vaastu sketched on full wall panel. There exists a massive manasthamba at the backyard of temple. This indicates the temple could have been altered subsequently in accordance with vaastu guidance.

Museum

It is situated outside the Keladi Rameswara temple. Keladi Museum is a rich storehouse of copper inscriptions, palm leaves, coins and many more interesting antiques of the Keladi period. The museum also has the recovered idols of Hoysala and Chalukya period from the early 16th century to the late 18th century.

Nearby Attractions

·         Ikkeri

·         Jog Falls

·         Varadahalli Sridhara Mutt

·         Chandragutti

·         Varadamoola

Routmap to Keladi

Nearest Airport: Mangalore

Nearest Railway station: Shimoga and Sagar

Road: Keladi is well-connected by road network. Keladi is located at a distance of 8 Km from the Sagar town on Sorab Road. There are many bus services from various towns in Karnataka to Sagar.

Route Map from Bangalore to Keladi:

Bangalore - Tumkur - Tiptur - Arasikere - Kadur - Shimoga - Sagar - Keladi

A car festival is held here in Phalguna masa on this particular day which draws the attention of a large number of devotees towards the temple.