Sri Kamala Narayana Swamy Temple, Degaon/Deganve, Belagavi

As we were driving towards Khanapur during one of our trips to the district of Belagavi, we came across a board directing us to Degaon/Deganve. Vaguely recollecting about the presence of a beautiful temple dedicated to 'Sri Kamala Narayana Swamy' here, we stopped by to check it out. Without any hesitance, we took a left turn towards this temple. After traveling for about 2 km, we reached the beautiful temple of Sri Kamala Narayana Swamy. Thanks to the incessant rains, this entire region had turned lush green. Sri Kamala Narayana temple was constructed in 1174 AD by Rani Kamaladevi, wife of the Goa Kadamba chief Shivachitta Permadi.

Sri Kamala Narayana Swamy Temple, Degaon/ Deganve

Sri Lakshmi Narayana

Lakshmi Devi Garbhagriha

Sri Lakshmi Devi

The agrahara of Devagrama, erstwhile name of Deganve was built around the Kamala Narayana temple by queen Kamaladevi. The inscription of 1174 AD found here states the same, while another mentions the name of a sculptor Nageya or Nagayya, who probably was the sculptor in-charge of this temple, thus finding his mention in the inscription. This dwikuta (modified trikuta) temple is dedicated to Sri Kamala Narayana Swamy and Goddess Lakshmi. This is a unique dwikuta temple with a big devakoshtha (niche) in between the two garbhagrihas, housing a beautiful murti of  Sri Lakshmi Narayana and decorated similar to the garbhagrihas. It is without an antarala and opens directly into the Navaranga. The other two garbhagrihas have elaborate antarala, opening into a common navaranga with two mukhamantapas facing them.

Sri Kamala Narayana Garbhagriha

Beautiful Central Floral Decorated Ceiling

A Close up

Pillared Alley

Side View of Sri Kamala Narayana Swamy Temple

This temple is considered to be one of the finest surviving temples built by the Goa Kadamba dynasty. The door frames of the garbhagrihas and the northern Mukhamantapa are heavily decked with floral carvings. The ceilings of the Navaranga are deep and adorned with floral pendants in high relief. The Shikharas are non-existent and is believed to be of Kadamba Nagara style. Another unique feature of this temple is the presence of Kakshasana (bench) at the low relief walls of the mukhamantapas. The themes of Krishnaleela, Dashavatara, Madanikas and a few erotic scenes are engraved on the walls of the Kakshasana. 

Krishnaleela and Vishnu Avataras 

Sri Krishnaleela

Naga - Nagini Stone

Directions to Degaon: It is located about 15 km from Kittur, towards Khanapur.

References: Karnataka Gazetteer 

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