Miscreants have damaged the Basava statue at Bettada Mahadeva Temple in Botlappa at Kundabetta in Ponnampet.
The incident came to light when a villager had visited the temple.
Later, the temple authorities filed a complaint to the police. Gonikoppa circle inspector Jayaram and others visited the spot.
The villagers have urged the police to arrest the miscreants at the earliest.