Karnataka has a rich temple culture and thousands of temples have been erected by the rulers of different dynasties like Kadambas, Badami Chalukyas, Gangas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyana Chalukyas, Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara, as well as by Mahamandalesvars, feudatories, ministers, dandanayakas, savants, trading classes, citizens and devotees. The temple architects freely experimented under royal patronage. Aihole in Hunugunda taluk of Bagalkot district known as the “Cradle of Temple Architecture