Hoysala architecture is a distinctive style of temple architecture that flourished in the region of Karnataka, India. During the 11thand 14th centuries, the rulers of Hoysala dynasty gave importance to art and architecture, especially for the temples. These temples are adorned with intricate and ornate designs, and exquisite carvings depicting various deities that narrate mythological tales preserving the heritage.
5 Significant Temples Of Hoysala Art In Turuvekere
Kalleshwara Temple
The Hoysala-built Kalleshwara temple at Hulikallu can be named. The back of the temple is an agricultural land where water from a nearby canal is accumulating. Thus, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is surrounded by water. Since the temple does not have a system of worships and has abundant water support, by this time the vegetation has grown and returned to its original form. Looking at the peak of the Kaleshwara temple, it can be inferred that there was an Amalaka or circular structure. Its disappearance has diminished its beauty. Places where kirtimukhas could have been installed have a flat surface.
The overall view of the temple seems unaffected by the simple stones of the new stone now assembled at the top of the porch. Such minor supplementary changes may be inevitable from the point of view of conservation and well-being. The stone of the inscription placed in front of the temple is preserved. Its text may also be available. The stones attached to the roof of the porch match the original look of the temple. The pillars of the Navaranga are attractive. The fact that the temple is below the ground level and there is no water flow system is alarming that it will collapse over time. This is not a problem that cannot be repaired, but requires interest.
Considering the nagarakallus stacked around the temple, the spare parts of Bhuvaneswari and other remains, there is every possibility that more temple materials may be found if the area is excavated. This is because there are references that the nearby Sangameshwara temple is a reconstruction of the earlier Kamateshwara temple. Its sanctum sanctorum is still ancient and is believed to belong to the Ganga or Chola period. Overall, the Kaleshwara Temple stresses the need to preserve the protected monument.
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Channakeshava Temple
The Channakeshava temple, built by the Hoysalas, belongs to the Vaishnava tradition, just as Malleswara is a Saiva temple. In course of time, many Hoysala temples were preserved during the vijayanagara empire. During the Vijayanagara period, many temples were fitted with porches and mortar towers. At least for this reason, these Hoysala temples were reincarnated. Thus we are still able to see them. The front of the temples renovated to the vijayanagara period may have reached the point of destruction. The porches have been created with a view to securing them, while in some places half the pillars have been renovated while retaining them. The temple may have existed as long as there is now garudagambha.
Now houses have been built at that place. At the beginning of the temple there is a sculpture of a devotee prostrating himself. This appears to be common during the Vijayanagara period. Just as the lalatabimba in front of the Navaranga has a picture of Gajalakshmi, it is surrounded by a beautiful Makaratorana. The temple of Tandagada is believed to have been built during the reign of Veeraballala III, i.e., in 1316. The temple has a single peak facing east and a sanctum sanctorum. Looking at the outer structure, it becomes clear that the functions of this temple have stopped halfway. Only the map of the sculptures on the outer wall has been cut and they are not complete. The outer wall looks attractive because of the presence of devakoshtas. The porch may also have been on the path of destruction.
To hide it, the recently constructed mortar tower appears to be incompatible with the original feature. Sculptors who have seen many such cement structures in the recent past are of the opinion that these are unnecessary. But in a place where there is nothing, it has to be comforted. The sculptures on the outer wall are faint. The pillars of navaranga on the inside are in good condition.
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Channakeshava Temple
The temple was built by a general named Somanna during the reign of Narasimha III. It was built in 1258. Channakeshava temple appears to have a Dravidian style ekakuta peak from a vastu point of view. It is composed of sandstone and appears to have faded away over time due to lack of maintenance. It is a matter of relief that the inner parts, including the outer wall, have not suffered much damage. The temple has a closed Navaranga mantapa on top of a semi-star-shaped jagati, which is not very tall, buried to the ground level. Entered from the mukha mandapa, navaranga has the traditional structure of antarala and sanctum sanctorum. The Navaranga has a simple but beautifully structured Bhuvaneswaris with nine parts.
The outer wall, though not composed of any large sculptures, looks attractive with its simple geographic design. Some even describe these as the design of machine tools used in the past to drill stones. The bottom of these structures, which appear to have patterns of various peaks placed on a pillar, rests on a simple design with five stripes. Facing east, the temple was once a haven for scholars and scholars. The device that writes on a palm leaf is called a kantha. It had to be sharpened from time to time. The marks so made have been found in the temple premises. Beneath the smiling Channakeshava statue, which is four and a half feet tall, is a beautiful image of Garuda. The idol of Goddess Lakshmi is also at the feet of the deity and daily pujas are performed.
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Moolashankareshwara temple
Turuvekere in Tumakuru district has many temples like Bettarayaswamy, Gangadhareshwara, Narasimha, Moolashankara, Channakeshava, Vittala, Veerabhadreswara, etc. One of these temples of Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions is the Moolashankareshwara Temple. Since it is located in the corner of the town, it is customary to identify it as moola shankara temple. The details of the donations made to these temples by Somanna, the commander of the Hoysalas, are evident from the inscriptions.
Shankareshwara Temple is situated near the lake on the road opposite Gangadhareshwara Temple. Generally, there is not much in the sanctum sanctorum of a Shiva temple that is attractive. But the Panipeetha of the Shivalinga of moolashankara temple is beautifully constructed. The grandeur of this four-foot-tall Shivalinga is impressive. There is no carving on the lalata image on the sanctum sanctorum. Bhuvaneswari, which is seen between the four pillars in the Navaranga, has a simple lotus structure. Sculptures of Ganapati, Veerabhadra, Bhairava, Saptamatrikas on panipeetha and Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva, can be seen in the Navaranga. The head of Kartikeya’s beautiful vehicle peacock, which is located here, has been cut off. The sculptures of the gatekeepers in the Navaranga are also left unattended.
The sculptors have used certain techniques to make the temple unique. While the kelavede is installed so that the rays of the rising sun fall on the main idol, the Vidyashankara temple in Sringeri has demonstrated the skill of the sun’s rays entering the temple on the day of the transit of the dwadasha rasis. In this Moolashankara temple at Turuvekere, the sun’s rays reach the Shivalinga through a small hole on the eastern side. Such interesting facts can be known only if the priests of the temples explain them. In these days of technological advancements, people will be able to understand these interesting things if they are displayed through a small panel. It is commendable that this arrangement has been made at the original Shankareshwara temple. Shankareshwara is one of the two bhumija style peaks of the Hoysalas.
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Balalineshwara Temple
The temple built around 1286 AD in Vighnasanthe village of Tiptur taluk is the Balalingeshwara Temple. It is very simple and was recently renovated at a cost of Rs 0 lakh. The temple has a Phansa-style peak and has a Hoysala emblem on its sukanasi. The outer wall may have been bald before the renovation. It is protected by arranging large granite stones in the terrace. The following lists also do not look special. Though it is a Trikutachala temple, it has remained undestroyed due to repairs carried out from time to time. There are traces of restoration work even during the reign of vijayanagara kings. The latest idols of Ganapati, Veerabhadra and Kalabhairava are placed in the navaranga premises here.
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Also Read;
Exploring The Hoysala Art Temples In Belur, Karnataka (thearchspace.com)
The 4 Significant Temples Of Hoysala Art In Belur,Karnataka (thearchspace.com)
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