The temples on Chandragiri start with the Chamundaraya Basadi in the 10th century
contemporary with the Bahubali statue. Construction continued at the site and the bulk are Hoysala temples built in the twelfth century. The hill is believed to be named after Chandragupta, the founder of the Maurya dynasty. Per Digambara traditions, Chandragupta along with Bhadrabahu undertook the ritual of fasting unto death at the Chandragiri hill, the latter also recorded in an 600 CE inscription at the site.