The Hoysala Temple of Doddagaddavalli , Hassan

Doddagaddavalli, a small village located off the Hassan - Belur Highway is home to one of the uniquely built Hoysala temple. The Lakshmi Devi temple here is the only surviving Chatuskuta (four shrined) temple built by the Hoysalas, while the Bhimeshwara temple of Nilgunda (Harapanahalli, Davangere) is the only other surviving Chatuskuta temple, built by the Chalukyas. Though both the temples were built almost during the same period and are similar in architectural resemblance, the Lakshmi temple of Doddagaddavalli is a more prominent Chatuskuta temple with 4 shikaras still intact. A typical Chatuskuta temple has 4 garbhagrihas in four cardinal directions, with a common sabhamantapa.

Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli 

Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli 

 The Lakshmi Devi temple complex is enclosed within a prakara wall with four small shrines located at each corner. The 8 towers include the shikaras of 4 small shrines along with the 4 main shrines standing in eight different directions, probably intended to represent the cardinal and ordinal directions or the Ashta dikkugalu (North, East,  West, South,  North East, North West, South East and South West). There is another temple in the complex built subsequently by the Hoysalas, contributing to a total of 9 towers here. The main eastern shrine houses the murti of Goddess Lakshmi Devi, with Lord Keshava in the south (though now the original murti is missing), Lord Shiva in the form of a Linga in west and Goddess Kali in the northern shrine. There are two huge nude Bethala sculptures depicted as dwarapalas of Goddess Kali. 

The Four Shikaras 

Hoysala Emblem 

Inscriptions Etched on the wall

 The common sabhamantapa is square in plan with 4 central lathe turned pillars. The ceilings of the sabhamantapa are a classical representation of Hoysala architecture. The main shikara of the garbhagriha which houses the murti of Goddess Lakshmi Devi is Dravidian in style, while the other 8 shikaras here are of Nagara style. The outer walls of the temple are plain and decorated with pilasters surmounted by miniature shikaras. The beautiful Hoysala emblems adorn the vestibules of all four shikaras here. The image of Goddess Lakshmi Devi at the central portion of the ceiling of the Mukhamantapa is carved in such a way that, it appears as though she looks at us from which ever direction we see her. This is a wonderful artwork of the Hoysalas. The temple is maintained by the ASI and a care taker is appointed by them for the maintenance of this temple. 

Goddess Lakshmi

Shakti Cult Carving on the Lintel 

The Bethala

Devi on the Ceiling of Mukhamantapa

Me with Curious Kid 

Broken Herostones 

Other Places to visit nearby:  Group of Hoysala Temples at Mosale, Shanthi Grama, Arsikere, Belur and Halebidu, Shettihalli Church, Gorur Dam, Sanka Hoysala Temple, Kondajji Hoysala Temple, Garudanagiri Fort, Maharajanadurga Fort and many such.

How to Reach Doddagaddavalli: Located off the Hassan - Belur Highway, about 15 km from Hassan. 

Entry Fee: Entry is free. 

Accommodation:  There is no option of any accommodation here in Doddagaddavalli; one can stay in Hassan where there are plenty of options to suit one’s budget. We usually choose Hotel Suvarna Regency, which is quite affordable with all modern amenities. One can also choose to stay at Hotel Hoysala Village Resort which is an upscale resort located close by. 

Where to Eat: There are no eateries here, although one can stop by at Hassan which is close by with plenty of options to suit one’s taste. Recommended ones are Hotel Suvarna Sagar, Hotel Kadamba and Hotel Sri Krishna.

References:

1. Temples of Karnataka - A book written by Dr.K.M. Suresh

2. The Hoysala Temples - A book written by S.Settar 

Related Posts:
1. Top 50 must visit lesser known temples of Karnataka 

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