The word 'Kadu' means forest, referring here to the thick greenery all around the temple.

[1] The temple was developed in the 17th century A.D. (1669 A.D.) by Venkoji, the step-brother of the Maratha King Shivaji in Dravidian style of architecture.

[4][5] Kadu Malleshwara Temple is in the Dravidian engineering style and constructed during the reign of King Venkojirao Bhonsle of Thanjavur.

Thousands of devotees from Bengaluru and around visit this temple on the holy day of Shivratri festival.

It can be reached via air at Bangalore International Airport which is located at a distance of 40 km from the city.