The Hoysala Temples, Sante Bachahalli -K R Pete

K R Pete (Krishnarajapete) is a hub to Hoysala temples. One such small village of K R Pete is 'Sante Bachahalli', housing a few Hoysala temples. The most prominent among them is the Mahalingeshwara temple built during the 12th century. The temple has a simple structure when compared to other Hoysala temples, and its interiors and the Shikara are grand. There is a temple besides the main temple dedicated to Kalabhairava. Though the priest  was available,  he was quite busy attending and serving the devotees. This kept him from giving any details about the temple. There is an old board outside the temple that provides general information about the temple.

The Old Broad

Shikara of Mahalingeshwara Temple, Sante Bachahalli

Beautiful Carvings

Friezes

Pillars

Skillfully executed

Offerings

Lord Shiva in Gribhagriha

Dwarapalakas

 

From here we moved on to the Veeranarayana Temple located in the village center. The temple looked renovated from outside and we were unable to go inside the temple as the priest was unavailable. Our next was the Lord Hanuman temple, believed to have been built by the Vijayanagar Kings. The lord is carved out  beautifully  on a huge stone. 

Veeranarayana Temple

Inscriptions

Hoysala Temples of K R Pete: Hosaholalu, Kikkeri, Govindanahalli, Sheelanere, Sindaghatta, Tonachi, Hariharapura, Kalahalli, Agrahara Bachalli, Aghalaya  many more .