The ancient Shree Santeshvar Temple is located in a village called Thilavalli in Hanagal Taluk of Haveri District of Karnataka State. Sathenahalli village is about 35 km from Hanagal via Thiluvalli and is close to Hirekerukra.
Sri Santeshvar Temple Tilavalli is about 354 km from Bangalore and 108 km from Hubli. And it is 34 km away from Haveri city. 34 km from Haveri city Railway Station.
This east facing temple is consisted of a mandapa, antarala and a garbha-grha. The temple is 75 feet long and 57 feet wide. The mandapa is supported on 44 pillars, and provided with three entrance, one each at east, north and south.Central ceiling of the mandapa has ashta-dikpalas on its offsets. Antrala doorway is provided with perforated panels on either sides. Door-jambs are plain and devoid of any sculptures. There are niches provided on either side of the doorway and as well of the side walls, north and south. Southern niche has Sapta-matrikas, western left niche has a modern veena player sculpture. Right western niche has Mahishasura-mardini while the northern niche has some modern sculptures.
Slab in the compound of the Santeshvara temple – Annual Report on Indian Epigraphy for 1945-46, no 257 – refers to the rule of the Suena king Singhana II – dated Saka 1160, corresponding 1237 CE – Gives the genealogy of the king and narrates his exploits. Registers the gift of the village Sudangi and some other gifts made by the king’s subordinate savanta Kalideva for the worship, repairs, etc. of the temple of Savanteshvara built by him in memory of his father Savanta Thakkura.
The gift was made to the Thousand mahajanas of Tilivalli. Savanta Kalideva’s genealogy is given, and his brother Rannugi is mentioned. Also describes the Shaiva teachers of the Kalamukha sect.
