Mahadeva Temple, Itagi

Western Chalukya masterpiece praised in inscriptions as an ‘emperor among temples’.

दर्शन महत्व: Underrated vs Pattadakal; stone lacework photographs superbly.

यात्रा का सर्वश्रेष्ठ समय: Oct–Feb

History

The Mahadeva temple at Itagi is a Western Chalukya masterpiece; a contemporary inscription calls it ‘an emperor among temples’. Its lathe-turned pillars and stellate plan influenced later Hoysala work.

Legends

• Built by Mahadeva, a dandanayaka of Vikramaditya VI, the shrine was meant to outshine every other Mahadeva temple of the empire.