Have you ever wondered what the Hoysala Architecture looks like? For many years, you may have been exploring famous Indian architectural styles such as Mughal, Dravidian ,Vijayanagara, etc. One of its unique kind of Indian-born style is the Hoysala architecture.
Let us delve into the examples of the impressive temples in the karnataka region.
4 Indian-Born Style Hoysala Art Temple In Karnataka
Venugopala Temple
There are temples of Nolamba and Vijayanagara periods. The most famous of them is the Venugopala Temple in Tiptur taluk. The ancient name of Nonavinakere is Nonabanakere. It was a famous place during the Nolamba period. The temples of Nonabeswara, Shanteshwara, Gargeswara, Choleshwara and Kaleshwara belong to the Nolamba period. The Beteshwara temple dates back to the Vijayanagara period. The Venugopala temple dates back to the Hoysala period. Apart from these, there are also temples of Channakeshava and Malleswara.
The Venugopala temple is a trikuta with its sanctum sanctorums facing west, north and south. Sukanasi is only for the western sanctum sanctorum. There is an idol of Soumyakeshava there. The other two have idols of Venugopala and Yoga Narasimha. Like all Hoysala temples, there are garbhagriha, sukanasi, navaranga, jalandra, etc. Except for the simple vitana of the padma-shaped in the middle, there are no engravings in the other two. The Navaranga has pillars made of rotation. The idol of Soumyakeshava in a state of equilibrium is attractive. The idol of Yoganarasimha, who is bound by yogapatta, is also beautiful.
The five-feet-tall Venugopala idol features the traditional carvings of the Hoysalas. Experts are of the opinion that the Venu held by Gopala is slightly longer. Another structure containing the same idols is located in the nearby Vighnasanthe. A mantapa was attached to this temple during the Vijayanagara period. Some sculptures of that period can also be found here.
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Sri Lakshminarayana Temple
The Sri Lakshminarayana Temple is more recent than the Kailaseshwara Temple, which is said to be of the Ganga period in the same village, which is situated in the centre of the town. Situated at a height of 20 feet above the ground level, the idol of Sri Lakshminarayana is the most adorable. Apparently, the construction of the temple was not completed for war or economic reasons. Sri Varadaraja Iyengar, the priest of this temple, explained a special feature found in Navaranga. Once, while cleaning the Navaranga, it was noticed that water was going into a stone crack.
When the stick of soot was dropped, it went down. Later, when a wire was lowered, i noticed that it was moving down. It is speculated that the lower part of the Navaranga may have been an empty space used for storage there. This structure, which is high above ground level, may have been deliberately created. If the pillars of the temple are gently tapped with the hand, the sound of metal can be heard. It is made using a rotating machine and is known as bronze stone. The adjacent pillars are made of soft sandstone. Just as the exterior of the temple is incomplete, some places inside are also found to be empty. The differences, which are not visible from a distance, can be seen from close quarters. The carvings on the two large beautiful devakoshtas are incomplete. The temple is built on a high verandah. Now even this verandah is buried in the soil two feet high. The carvings found in its circumambulatory path are either incomplete or in stages that have not yet begun to be cut.
Moreover, since this wall is a collection of lime that has been plastered for years, nothing is clearly visible. It can be hoped that the images will become clearer when this is further corrected by sandblowing. The next mukha mandapa may be understood to have been added during the Vijayanagara period. The mandapa is a granite stone structure with north-south entrance. The entrance to the temple is also of Vijayanagara style. Earlier, there were stone idols of Lakshmi, Lakshmi Narasimha and Venugopala. The mandapa is made of mortar. The interior of the temple is in very good condition and is beautifully maintained.
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Harihareshwara Temple
Located at a distance of 275 km from Bangalore, it belongs to Davanagere district and got its name from this temple. Facing east, this Ekakuta temple is situated on the banks of tungabhadra river. The Harihareshwara temple at Harihara was built in 1223-24 by Polava, a vassal of Veeraballala of the Hoysalas. In 1268, Soma, a general of Narasimha III, made some modifications. The sculpture is composed by combining the characteristics of half narishvara idol with half female and half male alike, shiva on the right and Vishnu on the left in harihara idol.
If the skill of the sculptor alone lies in such matters, the need to unite theories is concretely captured. Legend has it that A demon named Guhasura, who was very strong. Govindahalu, Uchangidurga, Mudanur and Airani were under his control. Neither Hari nor Hara alone can kill me. He was so powerful that he prayed to Brahma for a boon, and for this he began to cause unbearable difficulties to gods and men. In order to overcome the problem caused by the boon of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu came together at the confluence of the present-day Tungabhadra and Haridra rivers and became homogeneous. Legend has it that it was this form that killed Guhasura. The temple is designed with a square mandapa and reflects the shadow of the Hoysala structure. That is why the outer wall of the mandapa consists of many hind and forelimbs.
The beauty of the half-pillars stands out in the elaborate Kakshasana. The sculptures on the outer wall do not show the work and ingenuity of the embroidery. There are variations that allow for a separate study of the Nandi sculptures of the Hoysalas. The Nandi here has such a tradition. The bhuvaneswaris of the lotus petals seen in the mandapa are beautiful. The stone pillars created in rotating machines have a smooth surface. The earlier vimana tower was destroyed and is now newly built with mortar. It is a recent development that several inscriptions and hero stones have been properly preserved in the temple premises. There were many houses in the temple premises in the past. After clearing them, the temple courtyard looks spacious and spacious. The scattered inscriptions have found a stable ground.
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Keshava Temple
Bherya village is situated on the border of Hassan district and belongs to Holenarasipura taluk. It is located at a distance of 177 km from Bangalore. Far away. It is located at a distance of 35 km from Hassan. The Keshava temple here is facing east. This is a monolithic temple. It is managed by locals as it is yet to be seen by the state or central governments. This simple temple is small in size and may have had a star-shaped foundation. It is now destroyed. There are empty devakoshtas on the outer wall. In some devakoshtas, small idols are made. It feels like an incomplete structure. The sanctum sanctorum, the inner and the navarangas are seen. Signs of a small porch are visible in front.
Bherya is a small village at the border of Hassan district and belongs to Holenarasipur Taluk. It is 177 kms away from Bengaluru and 35 kms from Hassan. This east facing Keshava temple is single sanctum one. Since it is not recognized by ASI or State Archaeology Dept. it is still maintained by local people. This simple temple consists only empty Devakostas with one or two carvings done in an abstract way. It looks like an in-completed temple, but has all features inside like Sanctum, Antarala and a small Navaranga too.
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Also Read;
Four Stunning Temples In Channarayapattana, Karnataka You’ve Never Heard Of! (thearchspace.com)
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