Temples of Belgaum district in Karnataka, bearing the marks of Chalukya architecture, pull thousands of devotees round the year. Belgaum District, lie very close to Maharashtra and Goa. Amongst the numerous temples of Belgaum district, the oldest one is Kapileshwar Temple; the others are Yellamma Temple, Ananthashayana Temple, and Maruthi Temple. Saundatti, the original capital of the Rattas, is a celebrated pilgrim center and boasts several minor temples all around the city.
The temples of Belgaum district have attained a wide popularity in south India for its exquisite sculptures and architecture. Bhuvaraha Narasimha Temple, situated at Halasi is one of the lovely temples of Belgaum district. This temple is devoted to Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is a superb temple complex built in the later Chalukyan style, which has gigantic images of Narasimha, Narayana and Surya. Nearby attractions include the other temples of Belgaum district, namely Gokarneshwara, Kapileshwara, Swarneshwara and Hatakeshwara.
Kapileshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is considered to be the oldest temple in Belgaum District. The inscription on the Kamala Basadi, a Jain shrine within Belgaum fort is a popular attraction of this site. The chief idol is worshipped in the form of shivling on a flat peetha and the annual festival is held during Shivratri. The Khanapura Jain Temple is one of the important temples of Belgaum district that enshrines an attractive idol of Bhagvan Shri Shanthinatha.
Chikkaleshwar Temple, situated at Konnur in Gokak taluk is an ancient temple built in the later Chalukyan style of architecture. This is one of the temples of Belgaum district that is very much noted for its artworks with stylish sculptures and intricate carvings. Chikkaleshwar is declared as the `protected monument` by the center of Archeological Survey of India. This temple in dilapidated condition was recently repaired by the center. The temple is an interesting place to visit, not only for pilgrims, but also for the researchers who are interested in temple architecture. The temples of Belgaum district reflect the marvel of architecture during the Chalukya reign.