The Amruteshvara temple is located in the town of Amruthapura, 67 km north of Chikmagalur town in the Chikkamagaluru district of the Karnataka state, India. Located 110 km from Hassan and 35 km from Shimoga on NH 206, Amruthapura is known for the splendid Amruteshvara temple (also often spelt Amruthesvara or Amrtesvara). The temple was built in 1196 C.E. by Amrutheshwara Dandanayaka (lit, "commander") under Hoysala King Veera Ballala II. It is located in an idyllic spot, in the close vicinity of the Bhadra River reservoir. During their rise to power in the 11th-12th centuries, the Hoysala kings created many important towns and cities (nagara) along the malnad (hill) regions of present day Karnataka where they built many ornate temples.