The Viranarayana Temple of
Belavadi is supposed to be the best and the largest Hoysala monument surviving. This temple complex encompasses most of the Hoysala
architectural features and was built in two different stages. In its first
stage, an Ekakuta or a single celled temple was built with a Garbhagriha, an Antarala,
a closed Sabhamandapa and open Mukhamantapa. This part of the temple was built by the great
Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana after converting to Hinduism from Jainism, under
the influence of the great saint Ramanuja. It was built as a mark of devotion
towards Lord Vishnu who is referred here as Viranarayana. Amongst the three
temples of the complex, Viranarayana is the biggest and the simplest.
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Viranarayana Temple, Belavadi |
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Viranarayana Temple |
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Simple Exterior Wall |
In its second stage of
construction, a transversal strip with Ankanas, a Mahamandapa attached with 2
Garbhagrihas with Antaralas on the northern and southern sides and a Mukhamantapa
towards the east were added, making it a conglomeration of 3 temples in one. These
additional temples were built in the early 13th century under the
king Ballala II. They are smaller in size and very ornate on the exterior, much
in contrast to the Viranarayana temple. While one of the temples is dedicated
to Lord Venugopala, the other is dedicated to Lord Yoga Narasimha. There
is a continuous series of beautiful sculptures of different forms of Vishnu just
below the Shikara (eave) of the temple. The Shikara of the Viranarayana temple
has 3 talas, whereas the Venugopala and Yoga Narasimha temples have 4 talas,
which makes the uppermost hemisphere of the Viranarayana temple a little bigger
in size than the other two temples.
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Yoga Narashima Temple |
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Lord Vishnu's Sculptures |
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Ornate Exterior Wall |
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Shikara Viranarayana Temple |
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Shikara of Venugopala Swamy Temple |
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Shikara of Yoga Narashima Swamy Temple |
The original temple of Viranarayana and the temples of Venugopal and
Yoga Narasimha are connected by an elongated mantapa, which is the only
structure that looks out of the place. There is a beautiful and a unique
entrance/Mahadwara which is bedecked with two huge elephant sculptures to
welcome the visitors. This entrance is very big and has a few inscriptions and
some old sculptures. There is a beautifully maintained garden surrounding this
temple, adding to the beauty of the temple. The temple and its premises are very
well maintained by the ASI, with a permanent care taker.
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Elongated Mantapa at the Joining of the Temples |
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Lovely Entrance |
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Entrance Door frame |
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Viranarayana Temple Complex, Belavadi |
Continued here..........
Beautiful pictures and wonderful informative narration!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful captures and coverage of the temple. I love the peace and the quiet of the garden surrounding it.
ReplyDeleteA temple of incredible beauty brought out through your amazing pics !
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful temple and a big one at that as well. One of the best in our state. Photos are lovely.
ReplyDeleteRajesh Naik.
Beautiful temple and looks quite well maintained. Excellent post!
ReplyDeleteoh wow this is impressive!
ReplyDeletei am always so amazed at the intricacy of the temples there! just so much detail to get lost in!
ReplyDeleteIncredible temples and so colorful! I, too, am amazed by the intricacy and detail! Superb captures as always! And thank you for the wonderful information you include!
ReplyDeleteThe carvings in the architecture are amazing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful temple with sculptures... and great info...
ReplyDeletethanks tgs
Architectural masterpiece. Beautiful shots of the temple.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is absolutely magnificent. Lovely photographs!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful architect...
ReplyDeleteAmazing stone works! Thanks for bringing this beauty.
ReplyDeleteAnother fine example of great Indian architecture
ReplyDeleteRegards :)
Those architectures are absolutely magnificent.
ReplyDeleteGreen Tomato
awesome pictures
ReplyDeleteWonderful places you pick Dhiraj! Makes me want to travel with you
ReplyDeleteInformative post about the temple. Thank you for this post :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful captures TGS, loved the description. Lord Vishu's sculpture are excellent.!! loved it.
ReplyDelete