The construction of the temple began under the Chola rajas in the sixth century AD, and was completed by the Hoysala kings, according to the puranas.

It was during the time of the Cheiftain Byregowda (in the 16th and 17th centuries) that the idols of Yoga Nandeeshwara and Bhoga Nandeeshwara were installed simultaneously in Chikkaballapur.

This is mentioned in a poem ‘Nandi Mahatme’, written by Nandinath.

The Nandi Bhoganandeeshwara temple, and the hilltop Yoganandeeshwara temple attract hordes of foreign visitors with their intricate sculpture, and it has become a study centre for students or architecture and sculpture.

Twin temples
The building, which measure 270 by 250 feet, has twin temples in it.

The north sanctum sanctorum has the Bhoganandeeshwara temple, and the one in the south has an idol of Arunachaleshwara. And the architecture of this building is unique.

The pedestal of the doorway is adorned with sculptures of Vishnu, Shakti and Bhairava. Opposite the doorway is a nandi mantapa, and the northern and eastern doors display edicts from the Hoysala and Chola ages.

An unusual Simhaganesha has been installed to the left of the sanctum sanctorum that houses the Arunachaleshwara idol, the reason for this being that the Arunachaleshwara idol is in its ferocious form, hence the his son Vighneshwara is also portrayed in the same mood. Such a ferocious Ganesha idol is not found anywhere else.

An Umamaheshwara temple is situated between the two temples. The outside walls of the temple have pictures symbolising the wedding of Shiva and Parvathi.

The back wall of the temple has two magnificent outlets to allow for the flow of water. The twin temples also have idols of Bhoganandeeshwara’s wife Prasanna Parvati, and Arunachaleshwara’s wife Aachitakuchamba.

Every shivaratri, a special puja is organised. The day after Shivaratri, a rathotsava is organised organised in Nandi village.