What started as a small shrine grew into a large complex under the Vijayanagara rulers. Evidence indicates there were additions made to the temple in the late Chalukyan and Hoysala periods, though most of the temple buildings are attributed to the Vijayanagara period. The huge temple building was built by Lakkana Dandesha, a chieftain under the ruler Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire.
The shrine started small but grew into a large complex under the Vijayanagara rulers.  Later additions were made during the Chalukyan and Hoysala periods, with most of the temple buildings attributed to the Vijayanagara period. The grand temple was built by Lakkana Dandesha, a chieftain working for Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire.