The temples are notable for its large and intricately carved sabha-mandapa, the inscriptions, and artwork, much of it to Shaivism, but also significantly for Vaishnavism (Narasimha, Vishnu), Shaktism (Durga, Lakshmi) and Vedic deities (Surya, Agni).

The reign of Mahendra I (860–895 CE) brought renewed powers and economic prosperity after he defeated the Banas.

According to the Archaeological Survey of India, these inscriptions can be attributed to the Nolamba dynasty ruler Nolambadiraja and the Rashtrakuta emperor Govinda III, and they date from c. 806 and 810 CE.

Copper plate inscriptions found about 10 kilometers away near Chikkaballapur refer to the wife of Bana Vidhyadhara making a gift to the temple.

In between the twin temples is a small intervening shrine called the "Uma-Maheshwara" shrine with a kalyana mantapa ("marriage alter") supported by ornate pillars in black stone with reliefs depicting of the Hindu gods Shiva and his consort Parvati, Brahma and Saraswathi, Vishnu and Lakshmi, the Vedic god of fire Agni and Swaha Devi.

In front is a meticulously carved black stone kalyana-mandapa with decorative creepers and birds, one that "excels beyond those found in later era Hoysala temples", according to ASI.

[4] According to Michell, during the 16th century Vijayanagara period, a pavilion with elegant pillars was added in between the two major shrines.

[4] The outer bounding wall (prakara) of the complex has two smaller goddess shrines of the Shakti tradition.

Beyond this compound is a large stepped temple tank (kalyani or pushkarni), locally called "Sringeri Teertha" (the mythical source of the Pinakini river) where lamps are lit on certain festive days.