4 July 2015
It was surprising
that I did not visit this Temple before. The main reason was that I believed it
to be just a religious Temple. I am not sure how this belief entered into my
mind but it was strange that I did not give my much importance to this Temple.
It was only recently when my brother who, visited this Temple mentioned that it
was an architecturally important monument. And then it didn’t take much time
for me to plan the visit!!
Situated
at the base of Nandi hills, it is an easy place to reach from Bengaluru. The
Temple complex is huge with a park at the front.
According
to ASI “This is a twin temple built side by side. The north one is
dedicated to Bhoganandishwara and the south shrine to Arunachaleshwara.
Each consists of a garbhagriha, a sukanasi and a navagraha. They have two pierced
windows opposite to each other in both the sukanasi and navagraha. The four
pillars of the navagraha of the Bhoganandeeshwara shrine are carved with fine
small figures on all the sides. The ceiling over the, over 7 feet square has,
astadhikpalakas with Shiva and Parvathi in the central panel. In front of
navaranga entrance is Nandi Mantapa. The outer walls of north and south shrines
have pilasters, turrets and pierced windows with a few figures here and there.
The base has a frieze of elephants, yaalis and lions intercepted with each
other. Both the shrines have fine sikharas built of stone which are mostly
similar in design”.
This
Temple was built by Ratnavali, the consort of Bana King Bana Vidyadhara in AD
810. It was under the patronage of later dynasties of Ganga, Chola, Hoysala and
Vijaynagar Empire.
The main
kalyani in the temple is surprisingly kept clean. You can see Nandi hills in the
backdrop.
Kalyani
is a good place for fish pedicure.
Another
small kalyani in the park does not enjoy similar cleanliness.
Look at the window art. Very beautiful!!
Equally nice are the sculptures on the wall.
The vasantha mantapa has distinct Vijaynagar era style.
And so is the Mahanavami dibba.
I was
immensely satisfied with this temple. A must visit anyone who staying in
Bengaluru and interested in Architecture. Even Tanu was very happy with the Temple and its surrounding. Here is something she is trying hard to push. Of course, it was just for photography!!
Labels: Hoysala, near Bengaluru, Temples, travel, Vijayanagar style
