Harihareshwara temple has a chequered history. A story tells us that Guha the demon appeased the creator of the universe and was blessed with a “vardan” or boon. According to this boon both Shiva (Hara) and Vishnu (Hari) were not able to destroy him using single hand. When he got this boon or vardan, he started tormenting devas in Indralok and also the human beings in prithvilok. It therefore became difficult for everyone to withstand his devastation. Since Shiva and Hari together could not destroy him on their own, they united as Harihara to destroy the demon. This incredible incarnation took place near Kudalore where the two rivers Tungabhadra and Haridra meet.