Ramanathapura

About Ramanathapura

The temples at Ramanathapura were established during the Chola period and rejuvenated during the reign of the Hoysalas. Apart from the fact that it houses different art and architectural styles, Ramanathapura is an important religious centre of South India.

History

However, the saddening part is that neither the elected representatives nor the officials concerned are paying due attention to the development of temples with great historical and cultural backgrounds. Ramanathapura, which once attracted tourists from all over the country, is now left with few visitors. Moreover, assurances given by the chief minister and the officials concerned to rejuvenate the temples have remained as mere hollow promises.

Every year, throughout the Margashira month, Subramanya Rathotsava is held at Ramanathapura when thousands of devotees from different regions of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra come to the village to pay their tribute to the deities. But the lack of basic amenities seems to pose a major hurdle to the devotees.

The historically prominent Agasthyeshwara temple has a rich cultural background too. It is a true representative of art, music and culture of its time. The temple is also a model of broad thinking, intellectual maturity and guru-shishya parampara. The Agasthyeshwara temple is also famous for its historical background and its portrayal of the emotional landscape of the society and the strength of religion. Every wall of the temple has a tale of its own to tell. The temple architecture and the surrounding environment prove conducive to the same.

At the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is a huge Shivalinga. Apart from this, the temple also houses Mahaganapathi, Parashurama, Laksmi Devi, Chamundeshwari and other deities. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, on his recent visit to the temple, had directed the officials concerned to prepare a plan to rejuvenate the temple at an estimated cost of Rs 3.5 crore. However, now after the survey, a report has been submitted to the State Government

Help Line/Phone Number

Telephone Numbers of Important Govt. Officers (STD Code : 08172)
Designation Office Residence
Deputy Commissioner 267345 268202
H.Q.A to DC 268402 268107
Superintendent of Police 268410 268228
Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayth. 267534 267056

Location info

• Address: Ramanathapura, Arkalgud

• District: Hassan

• **Nearest City:**180 KM from Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka.

• Best time to visit: Jan - Dec

Climate & weather

Pleasant climate through out
Summer 40 (max) & 22 (min) Degrees Celsius
Winter 32 (max) & 10 (min) Degrees Celsius

Things to do at Ramanathapura

Take plesure of viewing the unique style of Temple Architecture.

How to reach Ramanathapura

**Nearest Railway Station:**Hassan has its own railhead which is around 2 km from the city center. Connection with Mangalore, Mysore and Bangalore is good with regular trains. There are express trains like Mangalore-Bangalore express which has a stop at Hassan.

**Nearest Airport:**Nearest airport is in Bangalore which is at a distance of 187 Km from Hassan. Bangalore being one of the metro cities in India, it recieves flights from all corners of India and of all major operators. It takes around 5 hrs to cover the distance by road. You can either take the sevice of KSRTC buses that are regular between Bangalore and Hassan or you have the option of hiring a taxi.

**Road Transport:**Hassan is connected with good network of roads to nearby areas like Belur, Halebid, Shravanabelagola and to all other major cities of Karnataka. Hassan is an important tourist destinations so KSRTC runs regular buses between Bangalore (222 Km) and Mangalore (194 Km).

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Best of all in Hassan are Hotel Hassan Ashoke, Hotel Suvarna Regency, Hoysala Village resort, and Hotel Southern Star.

Nearest visiting places

• Shravanabelagola Temples

Shravanabelagola is one of the most popular Jain pilgrim centers located in the Hassan district of Karnataka state. Shravanabelagola is at a distance of 52 Kms from Hassan town, the headquarters of the Hassan district and 146 Kms from Bangalore. In Kannada (the state language), ‘Bel’ means white and ‘kola’ means the pond, an allusion to the beautiful pond in the middle of the town.Shravanabelagola is wedged between two rocky hills - Vindyagiri and Chandragiri.

• Belur Archeology

Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. With Halebidu which is only 16 km away, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka, India. Belur is located in Hassan district. According to inscriptions discovered here, it was also referred to as Velapuri.Belur is the Chennakesava temple complex which contains the Chennakesava Temple

• Halebid Archeology

The present day Halebid was earlier known as Dorasamudra. This was the capital of the Hoyasala kingdom, which became prominent in the Mysore area in the 12th-13th century after the Ganga dynasty. The fort and pa;ace no longer exist. Now it is a small village with a group of temples

• Shravanabelagola Archeology

Jainism was born in Bihar in East India. When there was a great famine it is said that saint Bahubali along with his followers, came to Karnataka. The ruler of the Murya empire of the time Chandragupta, who considered Bahubali a sint , followed him and also undertook a fast unto death to propagate non-voilance

• Belur Historical

Belur in Hassan district (222 kms from Bangalore and 38 kms from Hassan) is famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex. The Chennakeshava temple here was completed in 1116 by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Chola

• Doddagadduvalli

About 16km (10 miles) from Hassan on the way to Belur is Doddagaddavalli, a village popular for the 12th century Lakshmi Devi temple.Doddagaddavalli is set in a scenic rural environment. According to the legends the temple was built in 1114 A.D. by a merchant called Kallahana Rahuta, a merchant or high officer in the Hoysala court

• Halebid Historical

Halebidu is located in Hassan district in Karnataka.Ketumalla, the chief of staff of Hoysala Kingdom, built this temple during 1121 A.D and attributed to his king, Vishnuvardhana and queen, Shantala Devi. Even then it is learnt that it took 105 years to complete

• Harnavalli Archeology

In the 13th century when the Hoysala kingdom was at the peak of it’s power, a temple was constructed in every area, its detailed sculptures and decorations

• Shrvanabelogola Historical

Shravanabelagola is one of the most popular Jain pilgrim centers located in the Hassan district of Karnataka state. Shravanabelagola is at a distance of 52 Kms from Hassan town, the headquarters of the Hassan district and 146 Kms from Bangalore

• Koravangala Archeology

Koravangala is a store house of Hoysala architecture. This scenic village, earlier called Kora Mangala, is home to three Hoysala style temples of the 12th century. All the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva

• Hemavati River

The Hemavati River is a very important tributary of the Kaveri River. It starts in the Western Ghats at an elevation of about 1,219 metres[1] near Ballala rayana durga in the Chikmagalur District of the state of Karnataka, in southern India, and flows through Chikkamagalooru, Hassan District and Mysore district before joining the Kaveri near Krishnarajasagara

• Bisle Ghat Hills

• Mosale Archeology

Tips & suggestions

Easiest way of traveling inside the city is by hiring a taxi. Auto rickshaws are also available in good numbers. Buses are regular inside the city but are crowded.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Karnataka’s cities offer diverse cuisine. Bangalore has a legendary food scene from iconic darshinis (stand-up eateries) to craft breweries. Mysore is known for Mysore pak and traditional meals. Temple towns (Udupi, Dharmasthala, Murudeshwar) offer excellent vegetarian fare.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Accessibility

Religious sites may have steps at the entrance and may not have ramps. The interiors are generally level once inside. Some historic sites have uneven stone floors. Visitors with mobility concerns should check in advance.

Rules & restrictions

Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered (scarves or shawls are often available at the entrance). Photography is generally permitted without flash, but video may be restricted. Maintain silence inside. Mobile phones should be on silent mode. Remove shoes if required (indicated by signage). Do not touch artefacts or altars. These are active places of worship — respect services, festivals, and devotees.

Best photography spots

Karnataka has a rich collection of churches primarily in Mangalore (Mangalorean Catholic), Bangalore (colonial-era), and Mysore. St. Philomena’s Cathedral in Mysore (neo-Gothic, one of Asia’s largest) and the Rosario Cathedral in Mangalore are the most photogenic. The interiors of Mangalorean churches with their detailed altars are worth shooting.

Best time to visit Ramanathapura

October to March offers pleasant weather for temple visits. Major festivals at the temple draw large crowds — visit during non-festival periods for a quieter experience. Early morning (6-8 AM) is ideal for peaceful darshan.

Timings & opening hours

Typically 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM daily. Pooja timings vary by temple. Special ceremonies during festivals may extend hours. Some temples have specific darshan timings.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry is generally free. Special pooja, abhisheka, or VIP darshan tickets may have charges (typically INR 10-200). Camera/phone fees may apply at some major temples.

Duration needed

30 minutes to 1 hour for a standard visit. 1-2 hours if attending special poojas or exploring the temple architecture. Half a day during major festivals.

Safety tips

Temples in Karnataka are generally safe. Remove footwear before entering (shoe-keeping counters available). Secure your belongings. Beware of pickpockets in crowded areas during festivals. Follow temple-specific dress codes.

Things to carry

Carry drinking water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, hat/cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, power bank, and personal medications. A light jacket or umbrella is recommended during monsoon season (June-September). Carry a scarf or shawl for covering shoulders. Small change for offerings and donations. Avoid leather items inside temples.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station serves the district. Nearest airport: typically Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore or Mangalore International Airport. KSRTC buses connect major towns near the temple.

Things to visit & highlights

The main shrine (garbhagriha), temple tower (gopuram/ shikhara), pillared halls (mandapas), temple tank (kalyani/ pushkarini), surrounding smaller shrines, and temple museum if available.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What are the temple timings? A: Typically 6:00 AM-12:00 PM and 4:00-8:00 PM. Check locally for specific pooja schedules. Q: Is photography allowed? A: Exterior photography is usually allowed. Interior/sanctum photography may be restricted — check signage. Q: What is the dress code? A: Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is expected. Traditional Indian attire is preferred.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Pilgrims Destination

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Ramanathapura

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Ramanathapura on popular travel photography sites and social media.