Fifteen minutesfrom Harihareshwara

Harihareshwara Temple is a Hoysala-period temple dedicated to Harihara, the composite form of Vishnu and Shiva, and it is what the town is named for. The central image is split down the middle: Hari on one side, Hara on the other. The stonework on the outer walls is the reason art historians make the trip.

It is an active temple rather than a monument, so it fills up on festival days and on weekends. Early morning on a weekday is when you will have the place more or less to yourself.

It is 1.2 kilometres, a fifteen minute walk through the town, or about five minutes and ₹30 by auto. The walk is pleasant in the early morning and unpleasant at two in the afternoon in April, which is a reasonable argument for the early start anyway.

From the temple it is another ten minutes down to the Tungabhadra ghats, which are worth the detour at sunset.

Reception is staffed around the clock, so leaving at half past five to be at the temple for the morning is not a favour anyone needs to grant. Tell the night desk and they will have the gate open.

If you want tea before you go, ask the evening before and it will be ready. There is no in-house restaurant, but there are places open early near the bus stand.

Blocks of three rooms or more get a custom rate, and complimentary breakfast on request. We hold the rooms without any advance payment, and one person can settle the whole booking at the desk on arrival rather than everyone paying separately.

For larger parties, message the dates on WhatsApp and reception will tell you what can be held. Dormitory beds work well for younger members of a group at ₹250 each.