but when I started viewing the pictures, I had taken
in detail and studied about the architecture during that time, I
figured it belonged to Hoysala era. So, it must have been built much
later than the date stated. This is my conclusion. I am no authority so
whatever I write in my post is my inference.
Nothing much is known about this east facing temple. I have made all attempts at deciphering the relics.
The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has now undertaken the daunting task of renovation and figuring out the relics.
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| ASI boards outside the temple |
Hoysala Kingdom flourished in the South Deccan plateau, now Karnataka,
from 10th century to 14th century. The architecture is not as elaborate
as the more famous temples of that period, like Belur and Halebidu, and
looks very basic, but the characters in the temple are very specific of
Hoysala period architecture.
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| Entrance to temple premises |
Hoysala era focussed in architecture, specially building of temples in South India.
entrance from the other side
Elephant heads surround the entrance on all sides.
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| view of temple from courtyard |
The main temple building in the center. Apparently a worn out temple on the side.
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| The temple |
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| View from outside |
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| inscribed stone tablet |
The inscribed stone information proved difficult to interpret. I
requested some Kannad speaking people to read but the script has
undergone changes over a period of 700 years and could not be
interpreted by them. The temple was built at a time when Kannada
overtook Sanskrit as the common language in this part of India.
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| Lord Harihara |
If, you look at the pictures above, at first glance it looks Lord Shiva
is on one side holding a drum (डमरू) and a trident (त्रिशूल ) and Vishnu
on the other side holds a mace (गदा) and what must have been a conch
(शंख ) now seems broken. But on careful observation, Lord Shiva also
has a mace and Lord Vishnu has a drum.
Many temples of Lord Shiva and Vishnu, in their various forms and
incarnations, were built during Hoysala era. But sometimes, a combined
deity of both called Harihara (हरिहर ) were also built. Lord Vishnu is
called Hari (हरि ) and Shiv is also known as Hara (हर). Lord Harihara is
worshipped both by Shaivites and Vaishnavites. Earlier, when I had
ignored this aspect, I wondered where the other sanctum for worshipping
Lord Vishnu must be. Now, my puzzle is solved !
Philosophically, this also denotes the unity of Lord Shiv and Vishnu.
Lord Harihara is also known as Lord Shankarnarayan (शंकरनारायण). Shankar
is Lord Shiva and Narayan is Lord Vishnu.
A pillar in front of the sanctum prevented me from taking a picture of them together.
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| Entrance to main sanctum |
The temples where two deities are worshipped and have two sanctum sanctorum or
garbhagraha is known as
Dvikuta (द्विकुट)
Dvi is two and
kuta
is house. The temple but is named after one deity. Here, the name of
the temple is Sankarlingam but two deities Lord Shiva and Vishnu are
worshipped.
The prayer sanctum sanctorum or
Garbhgriha (गर्भगृह ) or the "womb chamber" in
dvikuta
also are separate but here the deity is Lord Harihara who is unified
Vishnu and Shiva so there is only one sanctum sanctorum. This chamber is
the place where the main deity is kept and forms the most important
part of a temple. Only the priests are permitted to enter this chamber.
This area is usually square and dark with no windows with deity in the center. The darkness helps a devotee focus and meditate.
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| Nandi |
A monolith Nandi, the mount of Lord Shiv sits outside the
garbhgriha.
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| Shivlinga, the deity of this temple |
The golden head of Lord Shiva which you see in the corner is placed over the Shivalinga at the time of special venerations.
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| A woman performing prayers |
The mandap or the hall outside the sanctum santorum has beautifully carved soapstone pillars.
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| another set of pillars |
The ceilings too are beautifully carved.
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|
On the ceiling
Over the temple sanctum sanctorum entrance |
Some etchings depict scenes from Ramayana.
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| Hanuman carrying Lord Rama and Sita on his shoulders |
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| Lord Shiva and his consort, Devi Parvati on Nandi |
All around temple on outside while doing the
Pradikshana or
circumambulations, one can see on the walls dancers in different poses,
drummers, courtesans, Lord Ganesha, incarnation of Vishnu, and also
scenes from day today life.
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| wall just outside the temple |
Starting from the lower most carving, we see a a row of elephants which
denote strength. Above the elephants is a row of flowers followed by
scenes from everyday life. Unlike some temples, erotica was handled very
subtly and there was no outright display. One finds such carvings in
inconspicous niches.
All around the main temple, stone sculptures are seen.
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|
Lord Ganesha Lord
Subramanya Vaaman avataar, incarnation of Vishnu |
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| dancers in different poses |
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| Naagraaj and his consort Sarpyakshini Parashuram |
Naagraj is king of serpents. Parashuram performed severe penance of Lord Shiva.
The temple has two side doors. They have two stone slabs for people to sit.
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| sitting place |
The above room on the side of temple is full of broken idols, artifacts. Picture below.
The room with plenty of artifacts which still need to be placed in their proper places.
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| various styles of Shivlinga |
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| The chamber in need of renovation |
My visit to the temple ended here and as we were going back, I saw a huge mound over dilapidated walls.
Any guesses for what this structure this? I was amazed when I was told that it was an ant hill.
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| Another ant hill |
This looks like a small fort now inhabited by ants!!
Plenty of work awaits ASI to document and restore this temple fully.
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