The Hottal Temples are a group of Kalyani Chalukya-era stone temples in Hottal village, Deglur (Degloor) taluka, Nanded district, Maharashtra, close to the point where Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana meet. The best known of them is the Siddheshwar temple, restored by the state archaeology department and admired for its fine Deccan carving. This guide, part of our wider Maharashtra travel guide, explains what survives at Hottal, how the site is dated, and how to reach a village most travellers have never heard of.
The Hottal Temples, in Nanded district of Maharashtra, are a cluster of 11th-to-12th-century Kalyani Chalukya shrines in dry-stone (Hemadpanti) masonry. The restored Siddheshwar temple, with its Gajalakshmi lintel and dancing sculptures, is the highlight; the group is a Maharashtra state-protected monument.
Key takeaways
- Hottal (ancient name Pottal or Hottalkere) is in Deglur taluka, Nanded district, Maharashtra, about 95 km south of Nanded city and roughly 10 km from Deglur town, near the Maharashtra-Karnataka-Telangana tri-junction.
- The temples date to the Western Chalukya of Kalyani period; three village inscriptions span the Chalukya Someshvara II era (1068-76 CE) and dates of 1101 and 1120 CE, per reporting on the restoration.
- The group is a state-protected monument under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960; a 2013 Lok Sabha reply confirmed it is not an ASI-protected monument.
- The Maharashtra archaeology department restored the Siddheshwar temple “to its original form” after work that resumed in April 2010, per a 2012 PTI report.
- In June 2024 the state archaeology department reported finding the base of a Shiva temple, complete with a Shivling, while clearing debris at the site.
- There is no reported entry fee; the nearest airport and major railhead is Nanded, and the annual Hottal Festival is held in April, per Maharashtra Tourism.
About the Hottal Temples and quick facts
The Hottal Temples are a ruined-and-restored group of medieval Hindu temples, not a single working shrine complex. They stand in Hottal village, in Deglur (also spelled Degloor) taluka of Nanded district, in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. Inscriptions record the village as Pottal and Hottalkere; in medieval times it served as a sub-capital of the Chalukya of Kalyani.
Do not confuse this Hottal with the many similarly spelt villages across the Deccan. The site travellers mean is the temple group near Deglur, close to the border where Maharashtra meets Karnataka and Telangana.
Reporting on the five-year restoration, carried by PTI in 2012, names four temples that had fallen into ruin: Siddheshwar, Mahadeva, Nandi and Parashurama. Heritage documentation of the site lists the four shrines under slightly different names, Siddheshwar, Rebbeshwar, Someshwar and Parameshwar, so temple names vary by source; the Siddheshwar temple is the one consistently identified and the best preserved.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Hottal village, Deglur (Degloor) taluka, Nanded district, Maharashtra |
| Ancient name | Pottal / Hottalkere (per inscriptions) |
| Period | Western Chalukya of Kalyani, around the 11th-12th century CE |
| Style | Hemadpanti dry-stone masonry (stone joined without mortar) |
| Protection | Maharashtra state-protected monument (Act of 1960); not ASI-protected |
| Highlight | Restored Siddheshwar temple with Gajalakshmi lintel and carved sculptures |
| Distance from Nanded | About 95 km south (per PTI, 2012) |
| Entry fee | No fee reported; open site, reconfirm locally |
History, dynasty and inscriptions
The Hottal Temples were built under the Western Chalukya of Kalyani, a dynasty whose capital lay at Kalyani (modern Basavakalyan in Karnataka). Hottal was one of its sub-capitals, linked in inscriptions to local Vannhi-kula feudatories. According to the heritage record of the site, an inscription of Jayasimha II (around 1033 CE) already mentions the place as Hottalkere.
Three stone inscriptions survive in the village. The earliest, assigned to the reign of the Chalukya ruler Someshvara II (1068-76 CE), records that a feudal lord named Siddhugi built a Siddheshwar temple; the 2012 PTI report and the site’s heritage documentation both describe it. Two later inscriptions are dated 1101 CE and 1120 CE. The 1120 CE record, the heritage account notes, registers an endowment of revenues from Hottal and a neighbouring village for a temple, made under the Chalukya emperor Vikramaditya VI.
The architecture is described as Hemadpanti, the dry-stone style common to medieval Deccan temples, in which dressed stone blocks are fitted without mortar. Rahul Bhosle, the assistant director of the archaeology department quoted by PTI in 2012, said the carving shows a blend of Hoysala and Kalyani-Chalukya art, including ornate headgear and intricate detail. Treat precise dates and attributions as the best current reading of the inscriptions rather than settled fact, and confirm with the Maharashtra Directorate of Archaeology and Museums if you need academic certainty.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Hottal Temples is the cool, dry winter from roughly October to February, when walking an open stone site in the Marathwada plains is comfortable. Hottal has no shade or visitor shelter to speak of, so the season matters more than at a staffed monument.
Summers here (March to May) are hot and dry and best avoided for midday sightseeing. The southwest monsoon (about June to September) greens the surrounding fields but can make rural approach roads messy. One fixed date worth noting: Maharashtra Tourism promotes an annual Hottal Festival, a cultural event at the site, usually held in April; confirm the current year’s dates with the tourism office before planning around it.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Oct-Feb | Coolest and driest; best for exploring the open site |
| Summer | Mar-May | Hot and dry; the Hottal Festival (April) is the main draw |
| Monsoon | Jun-Sep | Green surroundings, humid air, occasionally muddy rural roads |
How to reach the Hottal Temples
Reach the Hottal Temples by road from Deglur, the nearest town, about 10 km away, or on a longer drive of around 95 km south from Nanded city, per the 2012 PTI report. There is no railway station or airport at the village itself, so the final stretch is always by car, taxi or local bus.
By air, the nearest airport is Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Airport at Nanded (airport code NDC). Star Air restarted commercial operations there on 31 March 2024, with reported routes to cities including Bengaluru, Delhi (via Jalandhar), Hyderabad and Ahmednagar; schedules change often, so verify current flights with the airline. By rail, Hazur Sahib Nanded (station code NED) is the main railhead, a major station of South Central Railway on the Secunderabad-Manmad line; the Pune-Hazur Sahib Nanded Superfast Express is one of several long-distance trains that serve it, and travellers coming from the Pune side often use it. Heritage documentation of Hottal gives Udgir, about 55 km away, as the nearest smaller railway station.
| From | Approx. distance | How |
|---|---|---|
| Deglur town | ~10 km | Taxi, auto or local bus (per heritage record) |
| Udgir railway station | ~55 km | Nearest smaller railhead; hire a vehicle onward |
| Nanded city / NED station | ~95 km | Major railhead and bus hub; drive south |
| Nanded airport (NDC) | ~95 km (via Nanded) | Flights by Star Air; then road to Hottal |
What to see at Hottal
What to see at Hottal is the Siddheshwar temple first, then the other shrines of the group in varying states of repair. The Siddheshwar temple is the one the Maharashtra archaeology department rebuilt “to its original form,” according to the 2012 PTI report, after dismantled stones had to be reassembled piece by piece.
Heritage documentation of the Siddheshwar temple describes an east-facing plan on a raised plinth, with a sequence of porch, pillared halls, vestibule (antarala) and sanctum (garbhagriha). A square assembly hall (sabhamandapa) carries a central platform that is read as a space for dance and music. The lintel over the doorway shows a Gajalakshmi (the goddess Lakshmi flanked by elephants), and an outer wall carries a multi-armed dancing Ganesha. Niches on the temple hold Shiva images in several forms, including a Nataraja (Shiva as cosmic dancer). These details come from heritage documentation rather than an official signboard, so read them as a careful enthusiast’s record.
The other temples are less complete. The 2012 report noted the Mahadeva temple was then in the final stage of restoration and that funds had been sanctioned for a Nandi temple. Heritage documentation separately describes a Someshwar temple with three sanctums for the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) and carved pillars, and a smaller Parameshwar temple; parts of these remain weathered and scattered. In June 2024 the state archaeology department reported uncovering the base of another Shiva temple, complete with a Shivling, after digging four trenches near a temple under restoration; the official Amol Gote, in charge of the Nanded division, described the find to PTI. A few outlets reported this as an “ASI” discovery, but PTI attributed it to the state department.
| Temple | Notes |
|---|---|
| Siddheshwar | Best preserved; fully restored; Gajalakshmi lintel, dancing Ganesha, Shiva niches |
| Mahadeva | Named in PTI reporting; was in the final stage of restoration in 2012 |
| Someshwar / Rebbeshwar | Listed in heritage records; three-sanctum Trimurti shrine and carved pillars noted |
| Parashurama / Parameshwar | Smaller shrine; name differs between sources; partly weathered |
| Newly found base (2024) | Base of a Shiva temple with a Shivling, reported by the state archaeology department |
How to plan your visit
Hottal is a half-day detour rather than a standalone destination, so pair it with a base at Nanded or a stop on a cross-border drive. The site is compact; an unhurried look at the Siddheshwar temple and the surrounding shrines takes about one to two hours.
- Half day from Deglur: drive out to Hottal in the morning, explore the temples, and return to Deglur or Nanded by afternoon, before the heat peaks.
- Day trip from Nanded: set out early for the roughly 95 km drive south, spend late morning at the temples, and combine it with sights on the way back.
- Festival visit: time a trip for the April Hottal Festival if you want music, folk performances and crowds; expect the quiet site to be busier and reconfirm dates first.
Where to stay near Hottal
There is no notable tourist accommodation in Hottal village itself, so plan to stay in Deglur for a basic overnight or in Nanded for a wider choice. Nanded, a pilgrimage city built around the Sikh shrine of Takht Sachkhand Hazur Sahib, has the broadest range of hotels and guesthouses in the region.
The price bands below are an indicative planning estimate as of October 2026, not quoted tariffs; reconfirm directly with properties, as rates rise around festivals and pilgrimage dates.
| Type | Indicative per night | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹800-1,500 | Basic lodges in Deglur; budget hotels in Nanded |
| Mid-range | ₹1,500-3,500 | Business and pilgrim hotels in Nanded city |
| Higher-end | ₹3,500 and up | Better-rated hotels in Nanded |
Book ahead if your visit coincides with major Hazur Sahib pilgrimage days or the Hottal Festival, when Nanded’s rooms fill quickly.
Food to try in the Nanded region
Hottal has no restaurants, so carry water and snacks for the visit and eat in Deglur or Nanded. The regional cooking is Marathwada Marathi, typically spicier and more robust than coastal Maharashtra’s fare.
- Jowar bhakri (a flatbread of sorghum) with zunka or pithla (a thick gram-flour curry) is the everyday staple.
- Thecha (a fiery crushed green-chilli and garlic relish) accompanies most meals in this belt.
- Kala masala dishes (made with a dark, roasted Marathwada spice blend) give local mutton and vegetable curries their colour and heat.
- In Nanded you will also find Sikh langar food at Hazur Sahib and plenty of simple vegetarian thalis.
Budget breakdown
A visit to Hottal is cheap once you reach the region, because there is no entry fee reported and the main cost is transport to a remote village. The table below is an indicative planning estimate for two people on a one-day trip from Nanded, as of October 2026; it assumes a hired car, and excludes long-distance travel to Nanded and overnight stay.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Car hire (round trip) | ₹3,000-5,000 | ~190 km round trip with driver and fuel |
| Meals | ₹400-800 | Two people, local restaurants |
| Water, snacks, incidentals | ₹200-400 | No facilities at the site |
| Site entry | Nil reported | Open monument; reconfirm locally |
| Day total (two people) | ₹3,600-6,200 | Excludes stay and travel to Nanded |
Permits, photography and rules
No permit is needed to visit Hottal, and no Inner Line Permit or restricted-area clearance applies in this part of Nanded district. The site is a Maharashtra state-protected monument, so the usual conservation courtesies apply: do not climb on or touch carvings, remove nothing, and avoid chalking or marking the stone.
No official photography fee or drone rule specific to Hottal has been reported; as a state-protected site, assume still photography for personal use is fine and ask before using a drone, since drone flying in India is regulated by the DGCA and may need permission. If in doubt about any rule, check with the Maharashtra Directorate of Archaeology and Museums or the Nanded district administration before you travel.
Practical tips
- Carry essentials: there is no canteen, ticket counter or guide on site, so bring water, sun cover and cash; mobile network and UPI may be patchy in the village.
- Hire a vehicle: public transport to Hottal is limited, so a car from Deglur or Nanded with a driver who knows the road is the simplest option.
- Time it for morning: start early to beat the Marathwada heat and get the best light on the carvings.
- Medical and safety: the nearest well-equipped hospitals are in Deglur and Nanded, so note them before setting out; the site is rural and unstaffed, which solo travellers, including women, should factor into timing a visit for daylight hours.
- Combine your trip: because Hottal is remote, plan it alongside Nanded’s Hazur Sahib or a Karnataka-Telangana border route rather than as a lone errand.
Nearby places
Hottal pairs naturally with Nanded city and the broader Marathwada circuit. The table lists nearby anchors; distances are approximate and should be reconfirmed before travel.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Deglur town | ~10 km | Nearest base for food, fuel and a basic stay |
| Udgir | ~55 km | Nearest smaller railhead; historic Udgir fort town |
| Nanded city | ~95 km | Takht Sachkhand Hazur Sahib, hotels, airport and main railhead |
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Hottal Temples located?
The Hottal Temples are in Hottal village, Deglur (Degloor) taluka of Nanded district, Maharashtra, in the Marathwada region. The site is about 95 km south of Nanded city and roughly 10 km from Deglur town, close to where Maharashtra meets Karnataka and Telangana. The village was historically called Pottal or Hottalkere.
Who built the Hottal Temples and how old are they?
The Hottal Temples were built under the Western Chalukya of Kalyani, broadly in the 11th to 12th centuries CE. Village inscriptions span the reign of Someshvara II (1068-76 CE) and carry dates of 1101 and 1120 CE, per reporting on the restoration. Treat exact dates as the best current reading rather than settled history.
Are the Hottal Temples protected by the ASI?
No. The Hottal Temples are a Maharashtra state-protected monument under the state’s Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1960, not an Archaeological Survey of India monument. A 2013 Lok Sabha reply confirmed they are not ASI-protected and fall under the state archaeology department, which carried out the restoration.
What was discovered at Hottal in 2024?
In June 2024 the Maharashtra state archaeology department reported finding the base of a Shiva temple, complete with a Shivling, while clearing debris near a temple under restoration at Hottal. Officials dug four trenches to trace the structure. Some news outlets described the find as an ASI discovery, but PTI attributed it to the state department.
How do I reach the Hottal Temples?
Reach Hottal by road from Deglur, about 10 km away, or on a roughly 95 km drive south from Nanded. There is no station or airport at the village. Nanded has the nearest airport (Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, code NDC) and the main railhead, Hazur Sahib Nanded (NED); Udgir is the nearest smaller station, about 55 km away.
Is there an entry fee or best time to visit Hottal?
No entry fee has been reported for the Hottal Temples; it is an open, unstaffed site, so reconfirm locally. The best time to visit is the cool, dry winter from October to February. Maharashtra Tourism also promotes an annual Hottal Festival, usually held in April, when the site hosts cultural performances.
Last updated and sources
Hottal suits travellers who care about Deccan temple architecture and quiet, little-visited heritage, best seen on a winter morning or during the April festival as a detour from Nanded.
Last updated: 31 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Maharashtra Tourism, Hottal temple listing and the Hottal Festival; PTI/India TV, “Archaeologists restore 11th century temples at Hottal” (2012); PTI/Free Press Journal on the June 2024 Shiva temple base find; heritage documentation of the Hottal temple group at durgbharari.in; and reference pages for Hazur Sahib Nanded railway station and Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Airport, Nanded, used to find primary transport details. Protection status cross-checked against a 2013 Lok Sabha reply. Accessed September 2026.
