Ancient Temples of Karnataka – 245
Anantheshwara @ Udupi
This Gajaprushthakara (apsidal) style temple constructed in 8th century is the third oldest temple of Udupi. It consists of garbhagruha, antarala, navaranga, pradakshina patha, pauli, hajara, balipeetha and dhwajastambha. The temple has the most attractive balipeetha in the district. The 40ft tall dhwaja stambha is of Vijayanagara times. Temple was known as Mahadeva temple as mentioned in an inscription slab of 1357. During early 17th century name of the temple was changed to Anantheshwara temple.

Temples of Karnataka 208
Gopinatha @ Kanganabettu
This murthi of Gopinatha was installed during 8th century by Hasthamalaka, disciple of Shankaracharya. Hasthamalaka founded the Kangu matha on the outskirts of Udupi and installed the murthi of Gopinatha facing south in a small garbhagruha with entrance from north. A navagraha kindi was placed to view Gopinatha from front.

Temples of Karnataka 197
MahishaMardini @ Neelavara
The murthi of Mahishamardini in this temple dates back to probably 10th century to the times of Alupas. The garbhagruha and navaranga of the temple are renovated but the pauli and hajara retain ancient characteristics. About 6 inscriptions found around this place indicate the importance the temple had during the rule of Alupas and Vijayanagara kings. These inscriptions mention about land donated to temple, religious activities held at the temple and the administrative importance of the place.

Temples of Karnataka 188
LakshmiNarayana @ Lakkundi
This 12th century temple consists of garbhagruha, antarala and navaranga, which was once the sabhamantapa of the temple. Now with walls in between the pillars it looks like navaranga. Navaranga has a pancha-shakha entrance. The decorative designs on the shakhas have eroded.

Temples of Karnataka 187
Chandramouleshwara @ Kodikoppa
This temple is also known as Chandrashali temple and is referred to as Molledeva temple in the inscriptions of Kalyana Chalukya times. Only the garbhagruha and open antarala of the temple remain. Garbhagruha has a decorated Pancha-shakha entrance with Gaja-Lakshmi on lalata.

Temples of Karnataka 163
Raghunatha @ Bhatkala
This temple was built by brothers, Baala Kini and Narayana Kini in 1567. They belonged to a community which fled Goa to escape from inquisition. Temple consists of garbhagruha, antarala, mantapa, pauli and hajara. This is the only temple out of the 9 ancient temples in the town, with a Dravida style architecture. All the other temples have sloped ceiling with no shikhara.

Subhadra, the elephant of Sri Krishna Temple, Udupi, is back in town after a hiatus of nearly 5+ years. She was obese and suffering from diabetes because of total neglect and was sent to Sakrebailu elephant camp near Shivamogga. She recovered in the company of other elephants and was doing perfectly fine at Sakrebailu. Her fans from Udupi who often visited her at Sakrebailu, which includes some of my friends as well, recalled fondly how she would come and stand near them when called out.

Temples of Karnataka 107
Tarakeshwara @ Hooli
This temple consisting of open navaranga, antarala and garbhagruha is located on an elevated place at the base of a hill and is of early Chalukya times. The open navaranga had entrances from 3 sides and had kakshasana all around. The kakshasana is gone for good with only 4 half pillars at the front remaining as a testimony.

Temples of Karnataka 86
Ganesha @ Hanagal
This small but important south facing temple of Bhagwan Ganesha consists of navaranga, open antarala and garbhagruha. Encroachment problem affects this temple with a house very close by on the right. There are 14 pillars in navaranga with 8 of them half pillars resting on the kakshasana, 2 embedded in the walls making up the starting point of antarala and the remaining 4 are the full pillars making up the central portion of navaranga.