Shri Chennakeshava Temple, Tandaga

Sculptor

     As per the legend, after the completion of  the temple, as a practice, all the sculptors took blessings of the Lord in the temple. It happened so that one of the sculptors turned into a stone after completing the Chennakeshava  Temple in Tandaga. The Gods were pleased with his dedication towards the construction of the temple and blessed  that he will remain a part of the temple. Wow what a story ! We were surprised to hear this story as a lot of questions cropped up in our minds seeing the very unusual sculpture of  a man bowing in reverence before the lord right at temple entrance.

Oath Stone

    There is an oath stone at the entrance which is believed to have immense power. Though the oath stone was frequently used in the olden days,  people now fear doing the same realizing its true power. A few years ago, there was an arrogant person in the village who had done some wrong  which the whole village was aware of and the man denied of his wrongdoings taking an oath on this stone. Gradually over time, his health deteriorated and wealth diminished. Situations forced him to move out of  the village and since then  nobody in the village dare to take an oath here. This is a true story told by a person who has witnessed the same.

Chennakeshava Temple

  "Tandaga" is located in Turuvekere taluk, Tumkur district. Very few people are aware of the Chennakeshava temple built here by the Hoysalas in  the12 th century AD. The temple seems very simple in its external features but is very rich in its interiors. It is basically an Ekakuta temple, housing a beautiful idol of Chennakeshava. The idol is very admirable and wonderful. There are nine different types of ceilings in the main hall. The door frames and pillars are extensively carved.

Entrance to the Temple

Carving of Gajalakshmi on the Lintel

Lord Chennakeshava

Garbhagriha

Door Frames

Pattern on the Door Frames

Pillar

Ceiling1

Ceiling 2

Ceiling 3

Exterior Ceiling

Kalyana Mantapa

Side Wall of the Temple

Amazing Carvings on the Shikara

Statue of Lord Chennakeshava

Garuda Pillar

 The priest lives near by the temple. There is a Malleshwara temple in the village which is older than the Chennakeshava temple though it looked completely renovated. Unfortunately, this temple was locked and the priest was unavailable. 

Directions from Bangalore :  Bangalore - NH48 - Kunigal - Yediyur - Right turn - Mayasandra - Turuvekere - Left turn towards Nonavinkere  - about 7 kms Doddaghatta - left turn - about 5 kms- Tandaga

Distance from Bangalore : 125 kms

Places to visit around : Nagalapura, Hulikal, Nonavinkere, Vignasanthe, Turuvekere and many more .
Trip date : Feb 27' 2011

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