The Hatkoti temple complex was built between 6th and 9th century AD during the Gupta period and its architecture and design were originally in classical Shikhara or tower style which represents ancient structure. Shikhara is conical at the top with a wide base.
The temple complex on the banks of the River Pabbar has a main temple dedicated to Goddess Durga and a smaller temple dedicated to Lord Shiva., both standing side by side.
The sanctum sanctorum called as Garbagriha is dark and the idol of Goddess Mahishasurmardini also called as Mata Hateshwari, is a bronze idol, eight armed and riding a lion as she drives her spear though the heart of demon Mahishasura. On one side of an image is an inscription which is a variation of the Brahmini script and has been undeciphered till date.
The Shiva temple’s architecture is of latika type with beautiful wood carvings. The Shiva temple has a Shivling which is wider than the doorway itself.
The temple complex also has a conical structure for storing grains believed to have been built by the localites there, a Dharamshala, a kirtan ghar and a rest house.
Here some people offer animal sacrifices and some offer flowes and halwa. An offering of scorched rice and homespun walnuts is very popular.
The holy abode of goddess Hatkeshwari, the temple complex on the banks of Pabbar river is built in the traditional Shikhara style that boast of the rich tradition of Gupta architecture. The temple depicts the goddess as Mahishasurmardini, one of the most ferocious incarnations of goddess Durga.
Inside the dark ambiance of the inner sanctum there lies the wraith like blush idol of the goddess in bronze. The deity depicts the posture of the eight-armed goddess on a lion who drives her spike through the heart of the fiend Mahishasura. The idol has some bhamini scriptures on its other side and any body has not yet deciphered it.
The tranquil ambience surrounds the holy shrine would be studded with devotees during the Chaitra Navratra and Asvin Navratra festivals. These festivals that falls in the month of April and October, changes the entire ambience of the shrine. Some of the devotees adore the devi in the form of Shakthi and some others consider the deity as the personification of Vaishnavi, which makes a large difference in their offerings. Those who adore Durga as Shakti sacrifice a sheep or goat and others tender flowers and halwa. Local populace offers scorched rice and homespun walnuts.
Apart from the main temple of Durga Devi, there is a small temple of Lord Shiva in the complex. It is very much astonishing that the Shivalinga in the sanctum is larger than that of the gateway of the temple. As the architectural designs are of the Gupta period, the temple might be constructed during the sixth and ninth century AD. A kirtan ghar, a dharamshala, granaries and a rest house are the other constituent parts the temple complex.