The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.
Harihar, Karnataka · 14.5117°, 75.8019°
Built in 1223-24 by Polalva, a commander of Hoysala king Vira Narasimha II, with further work in 1268, the temple enshrines Harihara, a single image joining Shiva's right half to Vishnu's left. Old Kannada inscriptions and hero stones stand in its precinct; the original tower has been replaced in brick.
A demon named Guha is said to have terrorised the region until Vishnu and Shiva combined as Harihara and destroyed him, descending at nearby Kudalur where the Tungabhadra meets the Haridra.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Hoysala