History

Chandramouleshwar Temple is very near Unkal circle and Unkal Lake (on Old NH4 in Hubli.

Unkal is an area in the Hubli-Dharwad municipality in Karnataka. It is on old Pune – Bangalore highway NH4, about 3 km north of Hubli city centre. It has Unkal Lake, beautiful natural scene with water, cool breeze and joyous tourists. It is good picnic spot and must-visit place.
Chandramouleshwar is a 900-year-old temple from the Badami Chalukyan era. It was built on the lines of Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal temples, is a Monument of National Importance, and is designated as a Protected Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites (Act (1958)) by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Chandramouleshwar Temple at Unkal (probably the historical name was Unukallu) is a Chalukya architectural monument in the suburbs of Hubbali; it is an example of Chalukya architecture.
Unlike other Shiva temples in the North Karnataka region, the Chandramouleshwar Temple has four doors in as many directions, altogether accounting for twelve doors in the temple besides two Shivalingams and two Naandi statutes at the entrance. One of the two lingams is the ‘Chaturmukha Lingam’, a four-faced Shiva lingam, which is the speciality of the temple.

The temple has sculpted walls and pillars of black granite stones. Images of dancing Lord Ganesha and jaalandhra at are a visual delight.
The architectural style that developed in this part is known as the Chalukya style.
Unkal Lake is one of the water sources of Hubli-Dharwad and a picnic spot. Unkal Lake has a boating facility.

Unakal lake is the origin of river BEDTI. This river flows through western ghats and drains in Arabian sea. Also BEDTI river joins SHALMALA river near khalaghatagi and together they flow as river GANGAVALI. Origin of river SHALMALA is Someshwara temple Dharwad