Keladi, Jog Falls - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 9 km from Sagara, 31 km from Jog Falls, and 83 km from Shimoga, Keladi is a temple town located in the Sagar Taluk of the Karnataka state. It is one of the top places of heritage in Karnataka, and among the must include places in Jog Falls tour packages.

Keladi is known for its rich past and culture as it once served as the first capital of the Keladi Nayaka rulers, who were the feudals of the Vijayanagara Empire. Today, this historic town is adorned with two popular attractions - Keladi Rameshwara Temple and Keladi Museum. The Rameshwara Temple devoted to Lord Rameshwara is the finest example of Hoysala, Dravidian, and Kadamba architectural styles. Chowdappa Nayaka, who had built the temple, strategically placed every brick and tile to give rise to this awe-inspiring piece of work. The pillars are stunningly carved with epic gods and goddesses as well as animals.

The temple also houses the shrines of Lord Veerbhadra and Goddess Parvati. The specialty of the Parvati Temple is its exquisite ceiling that is covered with intricate flower patterns carved from wood, of which no two are the same. The stone sculpture of Ganda Berunda on the ceiling of the Veerbhadra temple is exquisite. It is a depiction of a two-headed garuda (a mythical bird) holding lions with its beak and elephants with its claws. The statue of Daksha Prajapati, featuring a goat-head and the awe-inspiring carvings of 'Vastu Purush' (god of structures), are some of the rare examples of artistry found here. The massive 24-feet pillar or Mahasthambha in the backyard which has Ganesha deity with Rani Chennamma paying respects is yet another highlight of the temple.

The Keladi Museum located close by is worth a visit to take a look at some of the unique exhibits and manuscripts about the Nayaka reign. The museum has a collection of rare objects which include sculptures, copper inscriptions, coins, and palm leaves reflecting the rich heritage of the Chalukya and Hoysala periods. Paintings that exude creativity are preserved at the museum. An illustration of Queen Victoria and the countries colonized by the British in an exquisite work of art called 'The Guardian Angel of the British Empire' is a masterpiece.

Temple Timings: 8 AM - 6 PM

Museum Timings: 10 AM - 5 PM, Closed on Sunday

Entry: Free