Holy
Pilgrimage – Temples in Karnataka State
Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu, Karnataka
Hoysaleswara temple is a temple dedicated to Hindu god Shiva. It was built in Halebidu (in modern Karnataka state, India) during the rule of King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. The construction was completed in 1121 CE. During the early 14th century, Halebidu was sacked and looted by Muslim invaders from northern India and the temple fell into a state of ruin and neglect. Previously known as Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra, Halebidu is 16 km from Belur, 31 km from Hassan and 149 km from Mysore, in the state of Karnataka, India.
History
According to art critic and historian S. Settar, from contemporary inscriptions it is known that the temple derives its name from the Hoysala ruler at that time, King Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleswara, though interestingly, the construction of the temple was initiated and financed by wealthy Shaiva (a Hindu sect) citizens of the city, prominent among who were Ketamalla and Kesarasetti. The temple building activity was taken up in competition to the construction of the Chennakesava Temple at Belur, a Vaishnava (a Hindu sect) temple . The temple faces a large tank which was built in the middle of the 11th century and received water through channels from an ancient anecut (dam) built over the Yagachi river. The tank preceded the temple by nearly seventy five years. It is one of the largest temples dedicated to th god Shiva in South India.Temple plan
The temple is a simple dvikuta vimana (plan with two shrines and two superstructures), one for "Hoysaleswara" (the king) and the other for "Shantaleswara" (named after Shantala Devi, queen of King Vishnuvardhana) and is built with chloritic chist (more commonly known as Soapstone or potstone). he temple complex as a whole is elevated on a jagati (platform), which according to historian Kamath, is a feature that became popular in contemporary Hoysala constructions. ccording to art critic Foekema, the two shrines which are adjoining, face east and each have a mantapa (hall) in front. The two mantapas are connected giving a large and imposing view of the hall. Individually, each shrine is smaller than the one at the Chennakesava Temple at Belur and contains a simple linga, the universal symbol of the god Shiva. The plan of the inside of the temple is simple but the exterior looks different because of the introduction of many projections and recesses in the walls. The towers of the shrines that are missing must have followed the star shape of the shrine, just as in many existing well-preserved towers in other Hoysala temples. The superstructure over the vestibule which connects the shrine to the mantapa, called sukanasi (a low tower that looks like an extension of the main tower), and the row of decorated miniature roofs above the eaves of the hall are all missing. The temple was built at a height that provided the architects sufficient horizontal and vertical space to depict large and small sculptures. According to the art critic James Fergusson, the overall effect of the vertical and horizontal lines, the play of the outline, the effect of light and shade and the plan of the projections and recesses all amounts to a "marvellous exhibition of human labor to be found even in the patient east and surpasses anything in Gothic art". The outer walls of these temples contain an intricate array of stone sculptures. The temple of Halebidu, has been described by art critics James Fergusson and Percy Brown as an "outstanding example of Hindu architecture" and as the "supreme climax of Indian architecture"
The temple has four porches for entry and the one normally used by visitors as main entry is actually a lateral entrance (north). There is one entry on the south side and two on the east side, facing two large detached open pavilions whose ceiling is supported by lathe turned pillars. All entry porches have miniature shrines as flanking. In addition there is a sanctuary for the Sun god Surya, whose image stands 7 ft (2.1 m) tall. The pavilions enshrine large images of Nandi, the bull, an attendant of Shiva. The pavilions share the same jagati as the main temple. As in the Chennakesava temple, this temple originally had an open mantapa to which outer walls with pierced window screens made with the same material were erected, making the mantapa a closed one. he window screens are devoid of any art work. The interior of the temple is quite plain except for the lathe turned pillars that run in rows between the north and south entrances. According to Settar, the four pillars in front of each shrine are the most ornate and the only ones that have the madanika (chaste maidens) sculptures in their pillar brackets. There are no other madanikas in the temple.Sculptures
The Hoysaleswara temple is most well known for its sculptures that run all along the outer wall, starting with an dancing image of the god Ganesha on the left side of the south entrance and ending with another image of Ganesha on the right hand side of the north entrance. In all there are two hundred and forty such images. According to the art critic Gerard Foekema, perhaps no other Hoysala temple is as articulate in sculpture as this is and these sculptures are "second to none in all of India". he most intricate of all sculptures are found in the lintels over two of the doorways, one on the south side doorway and the other on one of the eastern doorways.Horizontal treatment
In this temple the Hoysala architects have broken from the
tradition of using five moldings with friezes (which is the "old
stlye") at the base of the temple, below the large wall sculptures and the
window screens.
The outer walls have two eaves
that run around the temple. The top eaves is at the roof of the temple where
the superstructure meets the wall, and the second eaves is about a meter below.
In between there are decorated miniature towers (aedicule).
Below the lower eaves are the wall sculptures and below them, the eight
moldings. Historian Kamath calls this type of relief work "horizontal
treatment".
Each of the eight friezes carries an array of decoration. Going from the bottom
where the temple wall meets the platform, the lowest frieze depicts charging
elephants which symbolize strength and stability, above which, in order, are
friezes with lions which symbolize courage, floral scrolls as decoration,
horses symbolizing speed, another band of floral scrolls, depictions from the
Hindu epics, mythical beasts called makara and
finally a frieze with hansas (swans). According to Foekema, no two
animals are alike in a total frieze span of over 200 m. In the epic
frieze, the epics are not continuous as they are mixed with other depictions.
After the construction of this temple, Hoysala architects used this new kind of
horizontal treatment only fifty years later, making it a standard style, though
they reduced it to six molding friezes.
Garuda pillar
Another interesting object in the temple complex is the rare Garuda Sthamba (Garuda pillar). According to Settar, these are different from virgals (Hero stone). Garudas were elite bodyguards of the kings and queens. They moved and lived with the royal family and their only purpose was to protect their master. Upon the death of their master, they committed suicide. The rare pillar on the south side depicts heroes brandishing knives and cutting their own heads. The inscription honors Kuruva Lakshma, a bodyguard of Veera Ballala II. A devoted officer, he took his life and that of his wife and other bodyguards after the death of his master. This event is narrated in an old Kannada inscription on the pillar. A 8 ft (2.4 m) tall sculpture of Ganesha including the platform rests at the South entranceTransportation
Halebidu is just 16 km away from the one more historical place Belur. It is well connected by road and rail to Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore. There are regular buses to Hassan. The distance is 149 km to Mysore and 31 km to Hassan.
Hulimavu cave Temple, Hulimavu, Karnataka
The Hulimav Cave Temple, also known as the Hulimav Shiva Cave Temple or simply the Cave Temple, is located in Hulimavu, Bannerghatta Road, Karnataka, India, very close to the BGS National Public School. The Cave Temple is administered by the Sri Sri Bala Gangadaraswami Mutt. It is stated that a saint did tapas in the cave for many years and his samadhi is also found inside. One can feel the vibration if one enters the cave and stands before the samadhi.There are three main deities consecrated inside. While a Shiva Lingam occupies the centre, on one side there is a Devi idol and, on the other side, the idol of Ganesha has been consecrated. On the other side of he cave, a very old dhyana mantap is also found. The cave appears to be centuries old. When one goes inside the cave and sits in meditation for few hours it is sure to feel the vibration of the god and get mental peace. The temple is placed within the natural cave inside the rocks. The detailed history of the temple is however not available, but it was stated that the temple is as old as 4–5 hundred years and has been found and built by Sri Sri Balagangadaraswami mutt.
Visitors are encouraged to learn about and go around to each of the deities inside the cave. The samadhi with the photo of the saint is also there. For unknown reasons such temples have not gained publicity even though those who know the temple visit it very often
Hulimavu was previously known as Amarapura, which came under the administration of Saarakeya (present day Sarakki). Apparently Amarapura was derived from the word Amra or Amru which translates to Mango or Sourness. Over years the name has evolved to its present name Hulimavu which in Kannada literally means "sour mango". The then ruler of Saarakeya (17th century) is believed to have built the Kodandarama Swamy Temple in Hulimavu for the well being of its citizens. Around 1850 AD the temple was renovated with the installation of idols of Seeta, Lakshmana and Anjenaya Swamy. Sri Kodandarama Swamy Bramhostava is celebrated every year. The temple was renovated again in 2002[
Temples in Hulimavu
- Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple
- Shree Kodandarama Swamy Temple
- Shree Raghavendra Swamy Mutt
- Bhagavati Mandira
- Someshwara Temple
- Menakshi Temple
- Vishnodevi
- Ganapati Temple
- Mutturayaswami Temple
- Cave Temple
- Kempamma Temple
- Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
- Manjunatha Swamy Temple
- Vasavi Devi Temple
Location
Hulimavu is located on Bannerghatta Road and is about 15 km from the city. Bannerghatta Road (commonly known as BG Road) is an Indian State Highway (87), Karnataka that connects Bengaluru with Bannerghatta, Jigani and Anekal. It has a total length of 49 kilometres (30 mi).Idagunji Lord Ganesh Temple, Idagunji, Karnataka
Idagunji (kannada ಇಡಗುಂಜಿ) is a famous place of Hindu worship in Uttara Kannada district and Honnavar taluk. The Lord Ganesha temple is the main attraction, receiving more than 1 million devotees per year. Idugunji is close to Manki[disambiguation needed] Mavinakatte and about 14 km from Honavar, 28 km from Navilgona.History
Idagunji is a small place in Honnavara taluk, Uttar Kannada district, which has the famous Vinayaka temple. The temple is the main attraction at Idagunji, receiving more than 1 million devotees per year.Idagunji Devasthana is an ancient temple with a history of more than 1500 years. The story of the temple is as follows.
At the end of 'Dwapara Yuga' great saints were praying to the Sutha-Pouranika at Badarikashrama. Shri Krishna had implied to eliminate the on coming doshas of 'Kaliyuga'. The divine saint, Valakhilya initiated narrating the significance of Kunjavana.
Valakhilya along with other immortal saints was performing penitential activities in a forest. They started experiencing diverse hindrance in penitentiary activities. The holy saint was agitated by these obstacles. He sought solace and worshipped Lord Krishna. Narada the noble saint approached Valakhilya. Narada received cordial and satiate wel-come with due rituals. Valakhilya explained his difficult situation to the divine saint and requested him to suggest pragmatic solutions to deal with the obstacles on his way. Narada advised him to worship God Vigneshwara (the remover of obstacles) before starting the penance again.
Valakhilya requested Narada to show him an appropriate place to worship the deity. Narada along with Valakhilya and other saints wandered westward in search of a suitable place. They came across the Sharavati river which gracefully caressed and consolidated with the ocean.
Narada chalked out an exact place located a few miles away to the left of Sharavati. The place was named as Kunjaranya. This would be a deserving place for their penitential activities. To add up to the significance of the place, Narada explained that in the past from time to time the Holy Trinity, Hari, Har and Brahma have come to this place to conduct their penance to stop the destruction of the "Asuras" (the demons). They also created lakes termed as "Chakratirtha" and "Brahmatirtha" which is truly a spiritual inspiration.
After sketching out this to all the saints, Narada with the help of the saints fabricated another lake named "Devatirtha". He then offered to bring Ganapathi (Vinayaka) along with other Gods including the Holy Trinity. Narada approached Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara to attend the "Puja" at Kunjaranya offered by the saints. He also took the liberty of requesting Parvathi to send her son, Ganapathi to the saints for the removal of obstacles.
Narada's charisma led all the Heavenly Gods along with Lord Ganapathi to attend the "Puja" with eminence and granduer. The temple dedicated especially for this purpose was decked with attractive decor and the enormous glittering diamonds and stones. Ganapathi received the rites, rituals and ceremonious formalities on the second day of Poorvathretha Yuga Nrapavara Chanda Shakabda 813 Vibhava Samwathsara which was decided as Uttarayana Shishiraruthu Maghamasa Shukla Dwitheeya Budhavara Punarwasu Nakshatra (Uttarashadha Nakshatra Visvamuhoortha the most auspicious time by Brahma).
The great saints and Heavenly beings chanted the hymns in praise of Lord Ganapathi. Ganapathi, magnificently attired, was holding “Modhaka” and “Padma” in his hands.
Immensely pleased by the devotion rendered on him by the saints, Ganapathi expressed his desire to grant the wishes of his devotees. The other Gods were cherished and treated equivalently. They also blessed their worshippers. The other Gods appealed to go to their original places. Ganapathi emphasized his decision to stay and gratify the desires of his devotees. He also implied the Gods to leave behind a part of their omniscient power in the various lakes encompassed there.
The devotees can attain their hearts desires by dripping into the varied "Theerthas" and by offering pujas to Him. A lake was bestowed to provide water for bathing at Ganapathi's request. It was named as "Ganeshtith".So according to this purana, Lord Ganapathi stayed in the place Kunjaranya which is now renowned as Idagunji.
This brief summary explains the legendary and historical significance of the sanctity place of Idagunji.
Mhatobar Shree Vinayaka Devaru has been granting the wishes of thousands of people who reguraly visit this place from year to year
Temple Details
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Location
Idagunji is
a village in Honnavara taluk, Uttar Kannada district, which has the famous
Vinayaka temple. The temple is the main attraction at Idagunji, receiving more
than 1 million devotees per year.
Uttara Kannada district is a place with many religious Hindu temples, which
includes famous temples like, Shree Vinayaka and Mahabaleshwara temple in
Gokarna, Shree Vinayaka Devasthana at Idagunji and Lord Shiva temple at
Murudeshwara. All these temples are ancient with a history of more than 1500
years.
Honnavara is a coastal town within Uttara Kannada district. It lies on the
coast of the Arabian Sea and on the banks of
the river Sharavathi. The town is famous for its scenic natural beauty with
beautiful beaches and breathtaking landscapes.
Idagunji Devasthana (temple) is about 15 kms from Honnavara. Buses, mini vans
and tempos operate frequently from Honnavara to Idagunji temple.
National Highway 17 ( NH17) connects Honnavara and Bhatkal. Idagunji road is a
slight deviation on this part of NH 17. Landmark for this deviation on NH17 is
Idagunji entrance arch, which is about 11kms from Honnavara. Idagunji Devasthana
is situated about 4 kms from this entrance arch.
Even though Konkan Railway passes near Idagunji entrance arch, the nearest
station the person can alight is Honnavara or Murudeshwara. One can alight at
Honnavara station, if coming from Goa or at
Murudeshwara station if travelling from Mangalore direction.
Devotees can visit Idagunji temple, have darshana of "Shree Vinayaka
Devaru", attend "Maha Abhisheka" and "Maha
Mangalarathi" performed to "Lord Vinayaka" at noon.
"PANCHAKHADYA" a special nivedhya prepared for "Vinayaka
Devaru" is distributed as prasadha to devotees. All devotees can have free
"Bhojana" at noon, in "Mayura Prasada Bhojanalaya" at
Idagunji temple.
Accomodation facilities for devotees are available at Idagunji temple. Other
accomodations are available at nearby places like Honnavara, Kumta and Bhatkal.
Visit Idagunji devasthana and get "Shree Vinayaka Devaru's" blessings
today and all through the year.
Ikkeri Aghoreshvara Temple, Ikkeri, Karnataka
Ikkeri (Kannada: ಇಕ್ಕೇರಿ) is situated in Sagara taluk about 6 km to the south of Sagara. The word Ikkeri in Kannada means "Two Streets". It was, from about 1560 to 1640 AD, the capital of the Keladi chiefs, afterwards removed to Bednur. Ikkeri continued, however to be the nominal capital, the Rajas were called by its name, and the coins were called Ikkeri Pagodas and Fanams, although, if fact, the mint was removed. Its walls were of great extent, forming three concentric enclosures. In the citadel was the palace, of mud and timber, adorned with carving and false gilding.The only vestige of its former greatness is the temple of Aghoreshvara a large and well proportioned stone-building. On the floor in front of the shrine are the effigies of three of the Keladi chiefs, doing obeisance, with the name inscribed above each. One of them, Huchcha (mad) Somasekhara, is represented as manacled and fettered. The distance between the central pillars was adopted as the standard measure for garden land. A rod of this length, equal to 18 feet 6 inches, was the space called daya allowed for one tree, and the shist was fixed on 1,000 such daya at various rates constructed in a mixed style with a unique conception.
The Aghoresvara temple above mentioned is a large structure, built of granite, in a uniquely mixed style that incorporates elements from Vijayanagara, the Karnata Dravida style of the Later Chalukyas and Hoysalas, as well as the architecture of the Deccan Sultanates. The temple faces north and has lofty roof and ornamental doorways on the west, north and east, the north doorway being the best with two elephants at the sides. The Garbhagriha, which is built of huge stones, contains a gigantic pedestal occupying nearly three-fourths of the whole space and sculptured all round with 32 seated female figures called shakthi peeta. In the Sukhanasi is a small translucent Nandi carved out of white spar. The temple has no navaranga doorway there are two niches, those to the right containing the figures of Ganesa and Subramanya and those to the left figures of Mahishasuramardini and Bhairava.
There are intricate carvings on the stone walls of the temple. There are carvings & sculptures such as Temple Relief (sculpture consisting of shapes carved on a surface so as to stand out from the surrounding background), Erotica, Fingurine, Old Kannada Manuscript, Sculpted Elephant etc.
At present it is maintained by Archaeological Survey of India.
Attacks
This temple was ransacked by Tippu Sultan during an invasion on Nayakas of Ikkeri.Transport to Sagara
Bus service is provided by private bus operators and KSRTC runs buses that connect Sagar to other places in Karnataka and a few buses to other states. Sagar is well connected by road with Shimoga, Bangalore, Mangalore, Hubli, Haveri,Sirsi, Davanagere, Hosanagara, Udupi, Honavara, Bhatkal, and other major cities. Sagar has its own railway station. The train station is known as Sagar Jambagaru. Two trains are running: one day train to Mysore and one night train to Bangalore. The nearest airport is Hubli Airport, which is about 159 km from Sagar.- (16206-16205) Mysore-Talguppa-Mysore (intercity), via Sagar, Anandapuram, Shimoga Town, Birur, Arsikere, Hassan, KR Nagar.
- (16227-16228) Bangalore-Talguppa-Bangalore (express) via Sagar, Anandapuram, Shimoga Town, Birur, Arsikere, Tiptur, Tumkur.
Ishvara Temple, Arasikere, Karnataka
The Ishvara Temple (also spelt Ishwara or Isvara) in Arasikere town of the Hassan district in Karnataka state, India, dates to c. 1220 CE rule of Hoysala Empire. Arasikere (lit "Queens tank"; Arasi means "queen" or "princess" and kere means "tank" in the Kannada language) is located 140 km north of the historic city of Mysore and 41 km east of Hassan city he temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, though modest in size and figure sculpture, is considered the most complex one in architecture among surviving Hoysala monuments because of its ground plan: a 16-pointed star shaped mantapa (hall), in addition to an asymmetrical star shaped shrine, whose star points are of three different types
Temple plan
The temple faces east as in all Hoysala constructions, uses soapstone (also known as steatite or soaprock) as its basic building material, and is a ekakuta shrine (single shrine or cella) with two mantapas (hall), one open and one closed. ll three units are connected to form a unity. The sanctum (garbhagriha) enshrines a linga, the universal symbol of the Hindu god Shiva. The mantapa is where the devotees gather. The closed mantapa does not have any windows. The ceiling in the closed mantapa is divided into nine compartments or "bays" by the four lathe turned pillars that support the ceiling. The unusual stellate design of the open mantapa is a deviation from the "staggered square"–a standard in Hoysala constructions, and offers no opening for devotees to enter the temple. The entrance is through a "bay" between the two mantapas.
The shrine has a tower (superstructure or Sikhara) which is intact, though the finial (a decorative water pot like structure called Kalasha) is a recent replacement. The vestibule connects the shrine to the closed mantapa and has its own tower called Sukanasi. The term "nose" is sometimes used to describe this tower because it is a low protrusion of the main tower (tower over the shrine). On this "nose" is an image of a bull (Nandi), which may be a more recent addition because this is the place where Hoysala temples normally exhibit the Hoysala royal emblem, the legendary warrior "Sala" fighting a lion.The outer wall of the vestibule shares the same decoration as the outer wall of the shrine, but is inconspicuous because it forms a short continuation between the wall of the shrine and that of closed mantapa The outer wall of the shrine is stellate, but the star points are not identical, rather they form three different kinds of star points, making the design complicated and unusual. he lower half of the outer wall of the shrine and the outer wall of the closed mantapa share the same architectural articulation. The open hall, with its 16-pointed star plan is most unusual design built by Hoysala architects. The central ceiling in the closed mantapa and the vestibule are decorated elaborately.
Both the interior and exterior of the temple shows interesting workmanship. The elegantly decorated ceilings, the domical ceiling of the open mantapa, the sculptures of Dwarapalakas (door keepers) in the closed mantapa (also called navaranga), the wall panel images numbering a hundred and twenty (on pilasters between the aedicules–miniature decorative towers) carved on the outer walls are noteworthy.
Railways and recreation
Arasikere belongs to Mysore division. It is a major railway junction between Bangalore and Hubli. Trains take diversion here to go to Hassan, Bangalore, Hubli, Mangalore. Arasikere is also well known for the naturally built elephant stone situated at heart of the town in Shri Subhramnya Ane Bhetta. Arasikere is famous for coconut plantations. There is a big agricultural coconut market in town. Also, a newly opened sports and children welfare academy is present in Mysore Road (near railway gate).Arasikere is also well known for its Ganapathi Pendal. Ganapathi Chathurti festival is the grandest festival of Arasikere. A huge statue of ganesha will be kept for about 90 days in Pendal. Sports, cultural and spiritual activities will be organised. Ganapathi Visargana will be celebrated grandly in lake of Arasikere.
Places of interest
- Shivalaya
- Jenukallu siddeshwara swamy hill
- malekallu thirupathi hill
- subhramanya swamy hill
Itagi Bhimambika, Karnataka
Itagi, small temple town in North Karnataka, It is famous for the temple of Bheemavva or Bhimambika It is in Gadag District, Ron Taluk in Karnataka, India. About 13 km from Gajendragad Kalkaleshwara temple. Hundreds and thousands ofBelievers throng everyday to this place. People get their wishes fulfilled by a Bhimambika.
Every year here at Itagi Annual car festival will hold, darty Dharma Devaru, it is one of the very famous Jatra in North Karnataka
tagi Bhimambika Purana
The late Kallinatha Shastri Puranik Wrote Puranas, of which Itagi Bhimambika Purana is well known.Historical temple
There is historical Shiva temple at Itagi, People call it as Shabhulinga temple.The temple here is about 1000 years old temple, may belongs to Chalukya, having Shiva linga in the Garbhagruha, people here believed that it is Udbhava linga.
Temple has beautifully carved pillar open hall, but the temple is totally neglected by people and Govt of Karnataka.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should undertake some Conservation work to protect the monument.
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
0 comments:
Post a Comment