Uploaded August 2022 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Trishulini Durgaparameshwari Temple which has a history of over 1200 years that is located in the pristine canopy of Balpa village in Sullia Taluk is famously known as Hampi of Dakshina kannada district. Located in the midst of the lush green nature, the Trishulini Temple is located between the Kukke Subramanya temple and Puttur. The entire temple is made of black granite stone and is said to have been constructed during the time of Kadamba rule.
This Trishulini temple is considered as a rare and eminent temple of our state. The speciality here is that a stone Trishula is being worshipped as God in this temple. It is believed that the goddess Shakti resides here in the form of Durgaparameshwari Trishulini. This is trusted to be one and only vital Shakti centre in South India. Balpa is a place of great historical importance. The ancient temples found here testify this fact. This place was formerly a war training zone. To back this up, the goddess of war, Trishulini is the main goddess here is legendary. In ancient days, the kings used to visit here and pray before going for any important work.
The architecture of this place is wonderful and evidently unique in South India. The temple has a history of over 1200 years and there are records stating that this temple was at its full glory during the reigns of various rulers of Alupa, Kadamba, Vijayanagara and keladi dynasties. There is also a record which says that the temple was renovated during the Vijayanagara period. The inscriptions say that the temple was renovated about 500 years ago by the kings of Kadaba. The temple has been entirely constructed using granite stone.
Even though there is no evident information about when and who built this great temple, looking at the architecture, we can say that none of the kings have built this temple in one go. The architecture of the Garbhagudi and the Tirtha Mantapa dates back to the period of the kadamba rule of 10th-11th century AD. The towers (gopuram) and wraparound pillars (Suttupauli) seems to have been built by Vijayanagara and Keladi kings of 13- 14th century AD. The unused Panipeeta found inside the temple, a piece of statue, the trishulini Panipeeta inside the Garbhagudi and the lion’s images on it adds to the fact that the temple was built in the 10-11th century. The roof of the sanctum is like a aesthetical stairway in the shape of a pyramid. As per the opinion of Dr. Morris (Karnataka historian) this type of structure construction must have been initiated by the Kadambas.
The self-locking style of connecting stone structures including the waterproof roofing, sanctum sanctorum, canopies (tirtha mantapa), Sukhanasi on the eastern side reflects the Alupa and Kadamba architecture style and these symbolizes the golden glory of that era. In front of the temple is a vast lake, a gateway built of stone, its frescoes and mithuna sculptures are stunning. Adjacent to the facade is the lithographic tower. There is a well situated in outer side of the sanctum which is the speciality of this place. There is no other temple in the entire district like this one. Two stone inscriptions have been found near the temple. These belong to the days of Ramaraya, the son-in-law of Vijayanagara king. Visit this historic shrine atleast once.
Trishulini Durgaparameshwari Temple which has a history of over 1200 years that is located in the pristine canopy of Balpa village in Sullia Taluk is famously known as Hampi of Dakshina kannada district. Located in the midst of the lush green nature, the Trishulini Temple is located between the Kukke Subramanya temple and Puttur. The entire temple is made of black granite stone and is said to have been constructed during the time of Kadamba rule.
This Trishulini temple is considered as a rare and eminent temple of our state. The speciality here is that a stone Trishula is being worshipped as God in this temple. It is believed that the goddess Shakti resides here in the form of Durgaparameshwari Trishulini. This is trusted to be one and only vital Shakti centre in South India. Balpa is a place of great historical importance. The ancient temples found here testify this fact. This place was formerly a war training zone. To back this up, the goddess of war, Trishulini is the main goddess here is legendary. In ancient days, the kings used to visit here and pray before going for any important work.
The architecture of this place is wonderful and evidently unique in South India. The temple has a history of over 1200 years and there are records stating that this temple was at its full glory during the reigns of various rulers of Alupa, Kadamba, Vijayanagara and keladi dynasties. There is also a record which says that the temple was renovated during the Vijayanagara period. The inscriptions say that the temple was renovated about 500 years ago by the kings of Kadaba. The temple has been entirely constructed using granite stone.
Even though there is no evident information about when and who built this great temple, looking at the architecture, we can say that none of the kings have built this temple in one go. The architecture of the Garbhagudi and the Tirtha Mantapa dates back to the period of the kadamba rule of 10th-11th century AD. The towers (gopuram) and wraparound pillars (Suttupauli) seems to have been built by Vijayanagara and Keladi kings of 13- 14th century AD. The unused Panipeeta found inside the temple, a piece of statue, the trishulini Panipeeta inside the Garbhagudi and the lion’s images on it adds to the fact that the temple was built in the 10-11th century. The roof of the sanctum is like a aesthetical stairway in the shape of a pyramid. As per the opinion of Dr. Morris (Karnataka historian) this type of structure construction must have been initiated by the Kadambas.
The self-locking style of connecting stone structures including the waterproof roofing, sanctum sanctorum, canopies (tirtha mantapa), Sukhanasi on the eastern side reflects the Alupa and Kadamba architecture style and these symbolizes the golden glory of that era. In front of the temple is a vast lake, a gateway built of stone, its frescoes and mithuna sculptures are stunning. Adjacent to the facade is the lithographic tower. There is a well situated in outer side of the sanctum which is the speciality of this place. There is no other temple in the entire district like this one. Two stone inscriptions have been found near the temple. These belong to the days of Ramaraya, the son-in-law of Vijayanagara king. Visit this historic shrine atleast once.
