The Kedareshvara temple is situated in Balligavi, in Karnataka state's Shimoga district.Balligavi was an important city during the 11th-12th century Western Chalukya rule.Kedaresvara Temple in transitional Western Chalukya-Hoysala architecture is an excellent example of a Trikuta "triple towers" temple.
According to Mysore archaeological department records, it is the oldest example of such a combinational style in Karnataka. The temple faces east and has a three-sided, stepped entrance. The entrance on the sides is a Western Chalukya idiom.
The main shrine has a black marble linga. The shrine to the south has a linga called Brahma and a statue of Vishnu is in the shrine to the north. The outer plan of the temple is in "staggered-square" style with numerous projections and recesses that is a Hoysala pattern.
The open mandapa (hall) exterior walls have carvings of women wearing fine jewellery. Vinayaditya added two Hoysala emblems in 1060 CE. The superstructure (tower) of the vimana is very well decorated with sculptures of Tandaveshwara, Varaha, Uma Narasimha, Bhairava etc. and the sukanasi of all three towers still exists.
The western shrine dates from the 7th or 8th century and is the oldest. A well built open mantapa with two rows of pillars is attached to the vestibule, which connects the shrines. The outer row of pillars is facing 16 while the inner row of pillars is turned with bell-shaped mouldings, a style common with Western Chalukys and Hoysalas alike
The mantapa 's ceiling is flat, and the inner ceiling is well decorated with lotuses in it. The central ceiling has eight-guarded Shiva dancing carvings. The east-facing entrance to the shrine has a Nandi, the bull.
The temple is being protected by the Archeological Survey of India as a monument of national significance.