The Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi temple is a Hindu temple complex built in the early 12th century in Doddagaddavalli village in Hassan District, Karnataka, India. The Lakshmi Devi temple was constructed in 1114 CE during the Hoyasala rule. This magnificent temple was built by King Vishnuvardhana.

A beautiful lake surrounded by coconut plantations surrounds this temple. It is the only Hoysala temple with four shrines located in the four cardinal directions built within a 7-foot-tall stone wall enclosure. Three shrines are connected by a common square hall with nine bays (compartments). The fourth one is linked to the hall by an oblong extension with two bays.

Significance of Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple

The Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple has withstood the test of time admirably and remains in pristine condition. The travellers’ attention will be drawn to a lake and the surrounding greenery. From the lake, one can see the entire temple. The temple complex is reached via a flight of granite steps. The main shrine is a 3-foot-tall image of Goddess Lakshmi with four hands and an attendant on either side.

The shrine is open for worship at specific times. The Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple walls are covered in intricate carvings depicting Gods from Hindu Sculptures. It is a must-see and can be used as a prelude to the Belur Chennakesava temple.

History of Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple

The deities of the Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple are Goddess Lakshmi, Kalikadevi, Shiva, Vishnu, and Kala Bhairava. The Sri Lakshmi temple was built with a chloritic schist, also known as Balapa in Kannada (soapstone). In 1114 CE, the temple was finished.

The architecture style is known as Kadmba-Nagara, which was refined and became synonymous with Hoysala temples. The construction is said to have been commissioned by Kullahana and Sahaja Devi.

The architecture of Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple

The Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple complex is housed within a 7-foot-tall and 115-square-foot compound. The temple has a dvara-mandapa to the west and a dvarasobha to the east, both of which are visible upon entering the temple. Unfortunately, everything except the door frames and the mandapa-like structure is missing from today’s architecture.

The four small shrines at each corner are evidence of a genuine design known as parivaralayas, which is mentioned in the Sanskrit text Shilpa Sastra. In addition to the main temple, the fifth shrine is dedicated to Bhairava and is located to the northeast of it. The focus of this additional temple is Bhairava, another form of Shiva Mahadeva, the form of rage.

People may wonder if the shared mandapa was a sign that there were dancing and singing performances in the temple complex because the main temple had a shared mandapa and the chatushukta, or four shrines, at its core. In terms of temple history, the temple complex, which consists of nine temples, is a rather rare feat in the art of temple building.

The Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple is the oldest known Hoysala temple in Karnataka’s Hassan district. The temple’s construction material is soapstone, which was common for Hoysala temples. This temple is built in the Kadamba Nagara style.

The most distinguishing feature of this architectural style is that the temples are not built on a jagati (platform), which is unusual for a temple in southern India. Three of the shrines have a square mandapa or hall. The original shikhara, or superstructure, of the vimanas, is in the phamsana style.

The fourth tower is ornately adorned. The main shrine, or garbhagriha, has a standing Lakshmi, in contrast to popular belief, which holds that the goddess Lakshmi is always seated on the lotus.

The most intriguing aspect of this temple is the presence of both Shaiva and Vaishnava deities, which is uncommon in other Hoysala temples. A Hoysala temple enshrines a single deity, either Shiva or Vishnu.

The Torana, which is located outside the garbhagriha of the temple’s four shrines, depicts the iconographies of betalas (ghostly beings) as well as nagakanya and vishakanya – the unearthly women of Hinduism.

They were snake women and poison women who were both deadly and beautiful, and kings frequently assigned these vishkanyas as spies. These mystic beings’ iconographies are uncommon in Hoysala temples.

Facts about Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple

• Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in the Hassan district of Karnataka, 18 kilometres from Halebidu, 21 kilometres from Hassan, and 24 kilometres from Belur.
• It is one of the most beautiful Hoysala temples in Karnataka and one of the top tourist attractions in Hassan, located on the Hassan-Belur highway.
• The Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple was built in 1114 CE by a merchant named Kullahana Rahuta and his wife Sahaja Devi during the reign of King Vishnuvardhana and is one of the earliest known temples built in the Hoysala style.
• It is the only example of the chatuskuta (four-shrined) order of temples built during the Hoysala period, and it is made of soapstone. Each has a shikhara and a sukhanasi (vestibule), as well as a kalasa on the shikhara and a Hoysala crest on the sukhanasi.
• A large pond is located next to the Lakshmi Devi temple. This lovely temple is reached via granite steps. The main Lakshmi Devi shrine is located within the compound. The main deity is surrounded by smaller shrines.
• There are statues of Siva, Lakshmi, Kali, and Vishnu. The ceiling of the central hall is entirely and intricately carved.
• The image of Indra is carved on the ceiling in the northern part of the hall. Lord Indra is depicted riding on Airavat (the white four-tusked elephant). Indrani, Indra’s consort, can also be seen holding a vajra in the carvings.
• The dancing Shiva is depicted beautifully in the hall. Similarly, Agni the Fire God is positioned to the south-east.
• Agni rides a one-horned ram while wielding the weapon Shakti. Yama, the Lord of Death, lives in the South and rides his buffalo while holding his Danda.
• There are two entrances to the temple complex. The one to the east passes through a porch, while the one to the west leads to the lake. This temple, unlike most Hoysala temples, is not built on a platform.
• The Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple layout is unique in that it has four shrines arranged around a common centre. The east shrine is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the west to Lord Shiva, the north to Goddess Kali, and the south is currently devoid of any image.
• The fifth shrine, located a few feet away from the main structure, is dedicated to Bhairava, an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
• The shrine is separate from the rest of the complex and faces south. It also has a shikhara and a sukhanasi, both with kalasas and Hoysala crests.

Famous Festivals In Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple

• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• Chitra Poornima is also a major occasion for celebration in the temple.
• MahaShivratri – Mahashivratri, “The Great Night of Shiva” is the most significant event in the Indian Hindu calendar. Shiv Khori’s cave temple is packed with activity during its three-day Mela (festival) held during Maha Shivratri (February-March). Thousands of Lord’s devotees attend the festival.
• Shravan Month – This month is considered the holiest month for lord Shiva devotees.

Best Time to Visit Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple

This place is heavenly and spiritual; you can visit it all year. However, the best time to visit this temple is during the monsoon and winter seasons. During the monsoon season, this location receives moderate to heavy rainfall, making it appear heavenly with its greenery and bringing freshness elsewhere.

How to Reach Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple

By Air: The nearest airport is Mangaluru International Airport which is 183 km From the Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Belur Railway Station which is 24 km from the temple and Hassan Junction is 21.3 km from the Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple.

By Road: The nearest Bus Station is Belur KSRTC Bus Stand which is 23.7 km and the Hassan Bus Stand is 19.7 km respectively.

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