Team G Square: June 2017

Thursday, June 29, 2017

The Grand Hoysala Temple: Shri Bucheshwara Temple, Koravangala, Hassan

Sri Bucheshwara Temple, Koravangala

As a part of the annual day celebrations of Canadia Trust, the team makes sure to visit a place located close by to Bangalore. During one such occasion, we had a chance to visit the beautiful Sri Bucheshwara temple of Koravangala. Koravangala is a small sleepy village located off the Hassan - Arsikere highway. 'Sri Bucheshwara temple' is a grand Hoysala temple built in 12th century AD by Bucha, the younger brother of Govinda, an officer working under King Narasimha I. This is a dwikuta temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Linga as its principal deity and Lord Surya as a secondary deity. The temple consists of 2 garbhagrihas with 2 antaralas, a sabhamandapa and navaranga with 2 mukhamandapas.

Mukhamandapa

Hoysala Emblem and Dravidian Shikara

Shaiva Dwarapalas

Wall Decked Up With Carvings of Various Gods and Goddess

The dravidian shikara on the main garbhagriha is a grand structure with 3 talas, surmounted by a vedika and kuta roof with a kalasa. The navaranga is square and stands on four central lathe turned round pillars. The ceiling of the navaranga has 9 ankanas decorated with different types of mouldings. The outer walls of the temple are decorated with various forms of Lords Shiva and Vishnu. The open sabhamandapa is star shaped, standing on four central lathe turned round pillars. The Hoysala emblem adorns the vestibule of this temple. There are two sculptures of standing elephants in front of this temple at both the entrances. There is also a big inscription stone inside the temple compound. The ASI has done a great job in maintaining this temple. The care taker of this temple also doubles up as a guide.

Kalinga Mardhana

Govardhana

Goddess Durgi

Lord Surya

Lord Umamaheshwara

Lord Surya

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, Doddagaddavalli Hoysala Temple, Garudanagiri Fort, Maharajanadurga Fort and many such.

How to Reach Koravangala: Located off the Hassan - Arsikere Highway, about 13 km from Hassan.

Entry Fee: Entry is free.

Accommodation: There is no option of accommodation in Koravangala; one can stay at 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
3. Journey of Life

Related Posts:
1. Top 50 must visit lesser known temples of Karnataka
2. Shri Mallikarjuna Temple, Basaralu
3. Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Horakere Devapura Temple

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

MP Diaries: Garhi Padhavali, A Magnificent Shiva Temple

Mandapa Heavily Decked up with Carvings

The countless peacocks around Padhavali kept us busy for a long, until we realized it was time to explore the ancient temple of Padhavali which is located in the outskirts of the village. We were welcomed by two lions guarding the entrance of the fort gate on either sides. A flight of steps laid in stone leads us to the remains of the magnificent Shiva temple. The medium sized mandapa decked up with intricate carvings everywhere was unbelievably beautiful . This temple is believed to be dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built in 10th century by the Kacchapaghatas. The temple was later fortified by the rulers of Jat Ranas of Gohad in the 19th century. The care taker of this temple doubles up also as the guide for this place. He goes on to describe in depth each of the minute carvings here.

Entrance to the Fort

Remains of Lord Shiva Temple, Padhavali

Lord Brahma , Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu along with Stories from Krishna's Life in the Bottom Panel

Depiction of Lord Surya in the Top Panel with Lords Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu in the Bottom Panel

Panel depicting Umamaheshwara along with War Scenes in the Bottom Panel

Depiction of Goddess Chamundi in the Top Panel and Worship of Lord Shiva by Lord Rama in the Bottom Panel

Lord Ganesha with his Consort, Lord Karthikeyan in the Centre (probably) and Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati as Ardhanareshwara

Depiction of Samudra Manthan, Trivikrama , Mohini and Lord Vishnu killing Rahu

Lords Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu with their Consorts seen in the depiction stories from the Ramayana in top Panel

Dashavatara Panel - Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki

Pillar Capital decked with Gandharvas

Beautiful Carvings on the Ceiling

Pillar with Inscriptions

How to reach Padhavali: Reach Nurabad which is located on the Gwalior-Agra Highway, take right turn towards Padhavali, about 30 km from Gwalior.

Entry Fee: Entry is free

Accommodation: There are as such no accommodation options here, though one can stay at Morena or Gwalior where options are plenty and make a day trip to this place.

Where to eat: There are a few road-side eateries that make tasty chats, especially Aloo Tikki.

References:

1. Madhya Pradesh - Unknown Attractions Around Known Destinations

2. RBS Visitors Guide India - Madhya Pradesh

3. A Wandering Mind

1. Madhya Pradesh - The heart of Incredible India

Thursday, June 15, 2017

The Lesser Known Hoysala Temple - Sri Keshava Temple, Hullekere, Hassan

Sri Keshava Temple, Hullekere

Hullekere is a small nondescript village near Gandasi in Arsikere Taluk of Hassan District. This place is home to a lesser known Hoysala temple built in 1163 AD by Narasimha I, as per the inscriptions found here. The temple looks like a replica of the Anekere Chennakeshava Temple, being similar in plan and dimensions, except that this temple has more intricate carvings when compared to the temple at Anekere. Sri Keshava temple here is a perfect example of Hoysala temple Architecture. The temple is surrounded by a prakara wall with a roof supported by pillars, forming a cloister. The main entrance is towards the east with a front porch supported by 6 circular lathe turned pillars.

Sri Keshava Temple, Hullekere

Guardian Elephants of the Temple

The Shikara

Sri Keshava temple consists of a garbhagriha, an antarala, and a sabhamantapa with an open mukhamandapa. The garbhagriha houses a beautifully executed murti of Lord Keshava standing on a Garuda pitha. The door way of the garbhagriha is richly decorated and has a depiction of Gajalakshmi on its lintel. The sabhamantapa is square and has four skillfully executed round lathe turned pillars. There are nine ankanas (parts) of ceiling, each one decorated with mouldings which are unique. The door jamb here is again richly carved with an image of Gajalakshmi on its lintel.

Kalinga Mardhana with Balarama on the Right and Kaliya Begging for forgiveness in the Left

The Inscription Slab

Lord Vishnu

The outer walls of the temple are decorated with pilasters, stambhas and diamond shaped flowers. There are many niches which are beautified with all the 24 forms of Vishnu, attended by female attendants on either sides. The Dravidian shikara here is a treat to the eyes. It comprises of 3 talas (layers) and is crowned with a kalasa. The beautiful Hoysala emblem adorns the vestibule of this temple. There are two sculptures of standing elephants in the front of this temple. There is also a big inscription stone inside the temple compound. Yet, this beautiful temple doesn't come under purview of the ASI (archaeological survey of India) and was restored with the help of Sri Dramasthala Manjunatha Trust.

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

How to Reach Hullekere: Located off the Hassan - Tiptur highway, about 45 km from Hassan and about 170 km from Bangalore via Tiptur.

Entry Fee: Entry is free.

Accommodation: There is no option of any accommodation here in Hullekere; 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.

Where to Eat: There are no eateries here, although one can stop 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