The Mallikarjuna Temple Basaralu is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is an ancient Hoysala architecture located in Basaralu, a small town in Karnataka’s Mandya district. Basaralu is close to Nagamangala and about 65 kilometres from Mysore, a culturally significant city. The temple was built around 1234 A.D. by Harihara Dhannayaka during the reign of Hoysala Empire King Vira Narasimha II.

This temple has been designated a national monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Mallikarjuna Temple in Basaralu is well known for its ancient architecture. It has well-known sculptures that elevate the Hoysala architecture to the level of art.

Overview of Mallikarjuna Temple Basaralu

This 13th-century temple is an excellent example of mature Hoysala architecture. ASI appears to be moving things around and reassembling things to ensure the monument’s preservation. The raised platform on which the temple is built is square, whereas most other temples from the same period are built on star-shaped platforms. The main temple complex has five layers, each with friezes of elephants, horse riders, lions, makaras, and swans.

Basaralu is well-known for the exquisite architecture of its two temples. These temples are reminiscent of Hoysala architecture. The complex contains two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva: the Chandikeshwara temple and the well-known Mallikarjuna Temple.

History of Mallikarjuna Temple Basaralu

The Mallikarjuna Temple Basaralu was built in 1234 CE by Harihara-dandanayaka during the reign of Hoysala Empire King Vira Narasimha II. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Harihara and his two brothers dedicated the god Mallikarjuna to their father. They also built a tank nearby in memory of their mother.

The village is famous for its temple, which has a rich architectural history and contains old sculptures and hero stones. The Archaeological Survey of India protects and maintains this temple. A lot of work on the walls has eroded over time and some drastic steps should be taken to preserve them.

The Architecture of Mallikarjuna Temple Basaralu

The Mallikarjuna Temple Basaralu is well known for its ancient architecture. It has well-known sculptures that elevate the Hoysala architecture to the level of art. The temple has three shrines. A mantapa connects all three shrines in this area. Only the central shrine has a tower on top, making it visible from the outside. The adjacent shrines lack a tower and are internally linked to the hall, which is not visible from the outside.

Hoysala temples use a platform called jagati, on which this temple stands. This platform serves as a walkway for devotees and adds visual appeal. The temple’s top features an emblem of a Sala killing a lion, which is typical of Hoysala architecture. Six pattikas at the temple’s base depict war elephants, horse riders, scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagvata, and swans at the end.

The cella in the central shrine has a shivlinga (the universal symbol of the god Shiva) while the lateral shrines contain an image of Surya (the sun) and a pair of nagas (snakes). The decorative plan of the shrines’ and mantapa’s (hall’s) walls is of the “new kind,” with two eaves that run around the temple. The wall panel images are of the same quality as those seen in the more famous temples of Belur and Halebidu, albeit smaller and simpler.

Important Facts About Mallikarjuna Temple Basaralu

• Mallikarjuna Temple in Basaralu is an ancient Hindu temple in Karnataka’s Mandya District. Lord Mallikarjuna, a form of Lord Shiva, is the primary deity worshipped here.
• The Mallikarjuna temple Basaralu was constructed in 1234 AD. This temple was constructed by King Veera Narasimha II.
• Trikuta is the name of the temple. The three shrines are linked by a common hall that has both open and closed hall characteristics.
• Elephant balustrades can be found at the hall’s entrance.
• There are incredible sculptures depicting scenes of sixteen-handed Shiva dancing on the head of the demon Andhakasura, dancing images of a twenty-two-armed Goddess Durga and Goddess Saraswati, King Ravana lifting Mount Kailash, and Prince Arjuna shooting the fish target.
• The Archaeological Survey of India has designated this temple as a national monument.
• Like all Hoysala temples, the base has six layers of decorative mouldings depicting elephants, horse riders, lions, swans, leafy scrolls, various gods and goddesses, and scenes from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• Shiva, Durga with twenty-hands, Mahishasuramardini, Vitthala, Surya-Narayana, Shiva as Tripurantaka, Sarasvati, Gajasamharamurti, Arjun, Hayagriva, Krishna, and Vamana are among the sculptures in the temple’s midsection.
• To the east of the temple is a 16-foot-tall pillar with a male and female figure atop it. Only a female figure has survived. This pillar is uninscribed, but it resembles a pillar in the Hoysaleshvar temple at Halebidu.
• The main festival celebrated here is Maha Shivaratri. During the festive season, the temple attracts a large crowd of devotees who come to pray.

Best Time to Visit Mallikarjuna Temple Basaralu

This place is very heavenly and spiritual, and 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.

Famous Festivals In Mallikarjuna Temple Basaralu

• Shravana: For happiness and wealth, many fasts, offerings, and mantras are performed during the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, known as Shravana.
• Mahashivaratri is a fasting ritual that takes place in the last week of February. It is reminiscent of Lord Shiva bringing Goddess Parvati with him. Priests and the temple committee arrange a Grand Celebration.

How to Reach Mallikarjuna Temple Basaralu

The Mallikarjuna Temple Basaralu is an ancient Hindu temple located at Basaralu in the Mandya district of Karnataka.

By Air: The nearest airport to Basaralu is Bangalore which lies at a distance of 130 km.

By Rail: The nearest railhead lies in Bangalore and Mysore which lie at a distance of 130 kms and 65 kms respectively.

By Road:  Basaralu has an extensive road network. It is accessible from Bangalore and Mysore. Several buses travel from Mandya to Mysore.

Also Read – Chennakeshava Temple Belur

The Hoysaleswara Temple also known as the Halebidu temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that dates back to the 12th century located in Halebidu, Karnataka. It is the most significant monument in Halebidu, a town in the Indian state of Karnataka and the former capital of the Hoysala Empire. The temple was sponsored by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire and was built on the banks of a large man-made lake.

Its construction began around 1121 CE and was finished in 1160 CE. The Hoysaleswara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and exhibits Hoysala architectural style. The Hoysaleshvara temple was one of the first to be built in the city and has remained one of the most visible.

Overview of Hoysaleswara Temple

The Hoysaleswara temple is a Shaivism tradition monument that reverently incorporates many themes from the Hindu traditions of Vaishnavism and Shaktism, as well as images from Jainism. The Hoysaleswara temple is a twin temple dedicated to the Hoysaleswara and Santaleswara Shiva lingas, which are both equal and joined at their transept. Outside, there are two Nandi shrines, with each seated Nandi facing the respective Shiva linga inside.

A smaller sanctum for the Hindu Sun god Surya is included in the temple. It used to have superstructure towers, but they are no longer present, and the temple appears flat. The temple faces east, but the monument is accessed from the north. Both the main temples and the Nandi shrines have a square design. Soapstone was used to carve the temple.

It is famous for its sculptures, intricate reliefs, and detailed friezes, as well as its history, iconography, and inscriptions in North and South Indian scripts. The temple artwork offers a visual representation of life and culture in 12th-century South India. Around 340 large reliefs depict Hindu history and legends.

Numerous smaller friezes tell the stories of Hindu texts such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Purana. Some of the narrative episodes are depicted on friezes beneath large reliefs.

History of Hoysaleswara Temple

The Hoysala period of South Indian history lasted from around 1000 CE to 1346 CE. During this time, they constructed approximately 1,500 temples in 958 centres. Halebidu was once known as Dorasamudra, possibly derived from Dvarasamudra (Sanskrit words “Dvara” (gateway, door) and Samudra (ocean, sea, large water body). Belur, Karnataka, was once the capital, but under King Vishnuvardhana, Dorasamudra became the established capital and served as the Hoyasala Empire’s capital for nearly 300 years.

An inscription found about five kilometres from the temple site, near the Kallesvara temple ruins in Ghattadahalli, states that this temple was built by Ketamalla, an officer in the service of King Vishnuvardhana. It also mentions that the king granted lands to support the construction, operation, and upkeep of the Shiva temple in Saka 1043, or 1121 CE.

It was not the only temple constructed during that period. According to the inscriptions, the capital included numerous other Hindu and Jain temples, as well as step wells, ponds, and mandapas (mandapas, public halls) near the large Dorasamudhra lake. It is the largest temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva built by the Hoysalas in South India.

The Hoysala Empire and its capital Dorasamudra were invaded, plundered, and destroyed in the early 14th century by the Delhi Sultanate armies of Alauddin Khilji, with Belur and Halebidu becoming the target of plunder and destruction in 1326 CE by another Delhi Sultanate army of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq. The Vijayanagara Empire seized control of the territory. According to James C. Harle, the Hoysala kingdom ended in the mid-14th century, when King Veer Ballala III was killed in a battle with the Muslim army of the Madurai Sultanate.

The Architecture of Hoysaleswara Temple

The Hoysaleswara temple is a twin temple, or dvikuta vimana (plan with two shrines and two superstructures). The two temples are the same size, and their sanctums face east, towards sunrise. Both the sanctums of “Hoysaleswara” (the king) and “Shantaleswara” (the queen, Shantala Devi) contain a Shiva linga. Outside the main temples, on the east side, are two smaller shrines, each with a seated Nandi. To the east of the southern Nandi shrine is a smaller attached Surya shrine with a 7-foot (2.1-meter) tall Surya statue facing the Nandi and the sanctum.

The temple has unique carvings and a design that includes two shrines, one for the King and one for the Queen. It has thousands of figures on the walls depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. It was built in soapstone and reflects Hoysala architecture. The temple’s outer walls are intricately carved, and it has been described as an outstanding example of Hindu architecture.

The temple has four entry porches, and the main shrine faces east. Inside the temple, there are beautiful sculptures and paintings. At the temple’s entrance is a statue of a dancing Ganesha. The temple contains over 240 images, and no other temple has as many intricate sculptures.

The most interesting part of the temple is the Garuda Sthamba, a rare pillar depicting the history of the bodyguards who once lived with the Kings. These bodyguards committed suicide after their master died, and this pillar honours a bodyguard named Kuruva Lakshma, who committed suicide after his master died. On the pillar, the event is described in detail. UNESCO has designated this temple as a world heritage site.

The entire temple complex is built on a jagati (literally, a worldly platform). The platform is 15 feet wide and wraps around the temple’s outer walls, allowing visitors to walk on it and view the artwork clockwise while circumambulating the sanctums. It is known as the pradakshina-patha (circumambulation path). The smaller shrines are connected by stone stairs to the main temple and share the same jagati. The two sanctums are aligned north-south, both face east, and each has a mandapa (also spelt mantapa, community hall) in front. The two mandapas are linked, revealing a large, open navaranga for family and public gatherings.

Important Facts About Hoysaleswara Temple

• The temple was built between the years 1120 CE and 1150 CE in the 12th century. The temple was built by King Vishnuvardhana of Hoysala.
• Hoysaleswara Temple is thought to have been named after Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleswara.
• The Vaishnava temple Chennakesava Temple is thought to have been built around this time. To compete with the Chennakesava Temple, the Shaivas built the Hoysaleswara Temple.
• The Hoysaleshvara temple in the village of Halebidu, in the southwestern Indian state of Karnataka, is one of the most ornately carved structures in South Asia.
• The Hoysaleshvara temple was one of the first to be built in the city and has remained one of the most visible. Standing on a star-shaped platform, the temple is made out of soapstone.
• Because of the presence of projections and recesses, the temple structure of the Hoysaleswara temple is considered to be very complex.
• While the temple’s exteriors are adorned with fine sculptures, the interiors are relatively simple.
• The temple complex contains two temples: one dedicated to Hoysaleswara and the other to Shantaladevi, the queen of King Vishnuvardhana, who built the temple. Both these temples have separate shiv lings and nandis.
• Other shrines dedicated to other gods and goddesses can be found within the temple complex. One of the shrines honours the Sun God.
• The temple’s ceiling is also distinctive. This section of the temple, known as Sunakasi, is decorated with miniature roofs and ruined attics.
• This temple houses a 7-foot-tall statue of the Sun God as well as a massive stone bull (Nandi, Lord Shiva’s Vahana).
  Another wonder of the Hoysaleswara temple is the set of Lord Ganesha sculptures.
• This magnificent structure has been hailed as a model of Hoysala architecture. The temple’s exterior walls are adorned with magnificent stone sculptures and intricate carvings.
• When the Hoysaleswara temple was built, it was named Dwarasamundra. The temple was twice ransacked by Delhi sultans in the 14th century. As a result, the city was dubbed Haldebeedu, which translates to “ruined city.”
• In the 14th century, Muslim invaders tried to destroy and loot the temple but somehow the king managed to restore the temple.
• The Shaivas (Lord Shiva devotees) paid for the Hoysaleswara temple’s construction.
• The Hoysaleswara temple’s layout is also well-defined, so each sculpture is easily visible.
• Another significant feature of the site is the museum within the temple complex. This is a treasure trove of excavated sculptures, wooden crafts, maps, and photographs of deities and temples.
• The temple is now under UNESCO World Heritage Sites and managed by ASI. No Puja rituals are performed in this temple.

Best Time to Visit Hoysaleswara Temple

This place is heavenly and spiritual; you can visit it all year. The best time to visit this temple, however, 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 Hoysaleswara Temple

By Air: The nearest major airport to Halebidu is Mysuru’s domestic airport (about 150 km/93.2 miles away) for domestic travel and Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (about 230 km/143 miles away) for international and domestic travel.

By Rail: The nearest railway station to Hoysaleswara temple is the Hassan Railway Station which is 30 km away.

By Road:  Bangalore is well-connected to Halebidu via NH 48 and the state highway to Belur. You can also take an alternate route that connects Halebidu and Hassan.

Also Read – Chennakeshava Temple Belur

Kedareshwara Temple is a Hoysala-era structure of Lord Shiva Temple located in the historically significant town of Halebidu, in Karnataka’s Hassan district. It is a short distance from the well-known Hoysaleswara Temple. The temple was built in 1219 AD by Hoysala King Veera Ballala II and his queen Ketaladevi.

The temple is made of soapstones and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, an important Hindu god. The Archaeological Survey of India has designated the Halebidu Kedareshwara Temple as a National Monument. Kedareshwara Temple is one of Halebid’s must-see temples. This temple, built in the Chalukyan architectural style, has two Hoysala emblems, displaying a beautiful and stunning mix of both styles. The temple is thought to have been built in 1319 AD, but it later collapsed and was never restored to its former glory.

Significance of Kedareshwara Temple

The Kedareshwara Temple in Halebidu is one of Veera Ballala II’s most important archaeological legacies. He was a notable monarch of his time, and his stories and monumental genius are still celebrated today. He defeated the Southern Kalachuris, the Devagiri Yadavas, the Madurai Pandyas, and the Western Chalukya Empire. Aside from these victories, he also dominated some of Tanjore’s dwindling Cholas.

In addition to the elegantly carved walls and ceiling, Kedareswara Temple has a number of sculptured friezes in the basement that depict tales from the Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, and Ramayana. Tourists can see Krishnashila’s Kedareshwara (Shiva) Lingam in the temple’s sanctorum. The Janardhana statue can be found to the north, while a Brahma lingam can be found to the south.

History of Kedareshwara Temple

The temple was built in 1219 CE by Hoysala King Veera Ballala II (1173 – 1220 CE) and his younger Queen Abhinava Ketala Devi. In the 12th century CE, Halebidu (Dwarasamudra) was the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire. This temple, as well as the nearby Jain temples, Hoysaleswara Temple, and Kesava temple in Belur, have been proposed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

According to art historian Adam Hardy, the temple was built before 1219 A.D. out of Soapstone. The Western Chalukyas popularised the use of soapstone before it became standard among Hoysala architects in the 12th and 13th centuries.

The Architecture of Kedareshwara Temple

The temple is built on a raised platform known as Jagati, a Hoysala architectural innovation. The jagati stands about five to six feet tall and is accessible via a flight of stairs. Hoysala temples are generally not designed to allow circumambulation (pradakshinapatha), with no pathway around the inner sanctum (garbhagriha).

The Jagati (platform), on the other hand, serves this purpose in addition to providing a good view of the temple’s wall designs and sculptures. The main temple’s Vimana is star-shaped (stellate), with two smaller shrines on either side with perforated windows (called Jali, literally “sieve”).

According to art historian Gerard Foekema, star-shaped temple plans are fairly common among Hoysala constructions, resulting in numerous projections and recesses in the outer walls. The decorative sculptures and designs on these projections are referred to as “architectural articulation.”

The temple has three shrines, making it a trikuta, or three shrined structures. The fact that only the central shrine has a tower, while the lateral shrines are virtually hidden behind the thick outer walls, is a common feature of trikutas. This creates the illusion that it is a part of the hall itself. Despite being a Shivite temple, the temple contains friezes and panel reliefs depicting stories from both Shivite and Vaishnavite legends.

Individual vestibules called Sukanasi connect the sanctums of all three shrines to a “staggered square” (indented) central hall (maha mantapa). A porch connects the central hall and the platform. The base of the temple wall (adhisthana) that surrounds the common hall and the two lateral shrines is made up of mouldings that are decorated with relief friezes depicting animals and episodes from Hindu lore (Purana).

This is referred to as “horizontal treatment” by historian Kamath. The image of the deity of worship is missing from all three sanctums, as are the superstructures that cover all three shrines. Some of the finest sculptures found here include Bhairava (a form of Shiva) dancing, Govardhana (the god Krishna lifting a mountain), and Vishnu as Lord Varadaraja.

Important Facts About Kedareshwara Temple

• Kedareshwara Temple is a Hoysala temple located about 1 kilometre from Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebid.
• This magnificent temple was built in 1219 A.D. out of soapstone and stands on a 16-corner platform that is five to six feet high. The main shrine is star-shaped, with two smaller shrines on either side with perforated windows.
• It was built in 1219 AD by King Ballala II and his younger Queen Abhinava Ketala Devi.
• Kedareswara Temple is an excellent example of Hoysala temple architecture. The temple’s carved ceilings are supported by finely polished pillars.
• The magnificent Nandi Vahana idol in its lying posture adds to the temple’s elegance. Unfortunately, parts of the temple collapsed and were never rebuilt.
• The main shrine is elevated above a lovely star-shaped platform of smooth stone. The walls, tower, doorway, and ceiling are all magnificently carved. This temple, like the Hoysaleswara temple, has classic friezes and epic scenes.
• Despite the fact that it is a Shiva temple, it is well known for its friezes and panel reliefs that depict both Shaiva and Vaishnava legends.
• On the outside of the temple, there are eight equal-sized sculpture strips. The first row is decorated with elephants, the second with Cavalry forces, and the third and fifth with beautiful creepers and flowers.
• Dwarasamudram Lake is located near the temple grounds. This lake has boating facilities.

Best Time to Visit Kedareshwara Temple

This place is very heavenly and spiritual, and you can visit it all year. The best time to visit this temple, however, 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.

Famous Festivals In Kedareshwara Temple

• Shravana: For happiness and wealth, many fasts, offerings, and mantras are performed during the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, known as Shravana.
• Mahashivaratri is a fasting ritual that takes place in the last week of February. It is reminiscent of Lord Shiva bringing Goddess Parvati with him. A Grand Celebration is arranged by priests and the temple committee.

How to Reach Kedareshwara Temple

By Air: The nearest airport to the temple is Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli. The temple is easily accessible by bus or taxi from most major roads.

By Rail: The Hassan junction is linked to all major cities, including (Arsikere, Mangalore, and Mysore), with the Arsikere junction connecting the Bangalore and Mumbai lines, as well as the Chennai.

By Road:  Bangalore is well-connected to Halebidu via NH 48 and the state highway all the way to Belur. You can also take an alternate route that connects Halebidu and Hassan.

Also Read – Chennakeshava Temple Belur

Doddabasappa Temple is a Lord Shiva Temple made in Western Chalukyan architectural innovation from the 12th century located in Dambal, Karnataka, India. Dambal is located in Koppal district, about 20 kilometres southeast of Gadag city and 24 kilometres southwest of Ittagi.

The Doddabassappa temple was built in 1124-26 AD and was known as the Ajjameshara temple because the builder was named Ajjayanayaka. The temple was given the name Doddabasappa because of the large bull (Doddabasappa) Nandi that stands at the temple’s entrance.

Significance of Doddabasappa Temple

The temple interior is standard in design, with a sanctum (cella), a vestibule (antarala), and a main mantapa (also known as navaranga or hall). The vestibule is the link between the sanctum and the mantapa. The Karnata Dravida architectural tradition was defined by the Western Chalukya monuments, which were regional variants of existing Dravida (South Indian) temples.

History of Doddabasappa Temple

The Doddabasappa Temple was built in the early 12th century CE by Western Chalukyas. Western Chalukya architecture, also known as Kalyani Chalukya or Later Chalukya architecture, has a distinct ornamentation style that evolved during the reign of the Western Chalukya Empire in the Tungabhadra region (covering vast areas of the Deccan Plateau) of modern central Karnataka during the 11th and 12th centuries. They also used lathe-turned stone pillars to support the roofs of the halls (mandaps).

The Architecture of Doddabasappa Temple

The Doddabasappa Temple is built with soapstone and is based on a unique 24-pointed uninterrupted stellate (star-shaped) plan. The modern stellate plans of the Bhumija shrines in central India that inspired this temple were all 32-pointed interrupted types. With the exception of the Doddabasappa temple, which can be described as a 24-pointed uninterrupted plan, no temples of the 6-, 12-, or 24-pointed stellate plans are known to exist in Karnataka or Maharashtra.

The stellate outline is interrupted by orthogonal (right-angle) projections in the cardinal directions in an ‘interrupted’ stellate plan, resulting in skipped star points.

The Doddabasappa temple represents the pinnacle of Chalukyan art, which arose from the basic Dravida architecture of South India. Its departure from the traditional Dravida plan used in the Virupaksha temple in Pattadakal is so extreme that similarities would be difficult to find without careful examination. A star is formed by rotating a square about its centre. Equidistant projections are formed by the star points. The angles and re-entrant angles formed thus form the perimeter of the shrine’s outer wall.

The pillars in this temple are finely chiselled and “complicated,” but they lack the elegance of those in Lakkundi’s Kasivisvesvara Temple. Above the shrine’s entrance is a decorative architrave with space for images of the Hindu Gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva (now missing). Depending on the temple’s dedication, either Vishnu or Shiva would take centre stage in this arrangement.

The sanctum’s entrance is elaborately decorated on both sides with floral designs containing tiny images of dancers, musicians, and even a mithuna couple (Gemini). There are three images in the main mantapa (hall), one of the “five-headed” Brahma and his vehicle (vahana), the goose, and two of Surya, the Sun God.

The temple has two doorways, one facing south and one facing east, each with a porch. The east-facing door has the remains of what must have been elegant lintel decoration on either side, as well as an open hall type of pillared extension containing a large recumbent image of Nandi (bull) facing the shrine.

Important Facts About Doddabasappa Temple

• Doddabasappa Temple also known as Mailara Linga Temple, is located in Dambal, Karnataka. The temple’s presiding deity is known as Mailabesvara.
• Originally known as the Ajjameshvara Temple, it was later renamed Doddabasappa Temple in honour of the massive Nandi (bull) statue that stands at its entrance.
• Inscriptions refer to Dambal as Dharmavolal and Dharmapura. Queen Lakshmi Devi, the wife of Western Chalukya King Vikramaditya VI, is said to have ruled from Dambal, which served as a provincial capital.
• The Doddabasappa Temple Dambal faces east and comprises a sanctum, vestibule, and navaranga. The navaranga has entrance porches on the eastern and southern sides.
• The eastern entrance porch has been converted into a Nandi mandapa, which houses a massive Nandi statue, hence the temple’s name, Doddabasappa.
• The eastern entrance doorway is adorned with seven bands of decorative carvings, and the lintel depicts Gajalakshmi. A Shiva Linga can be found inside the sanctum.
• The vimana (tower) is designed with a 24-pointed stellate (star-shaped) plan, whereas the hall is designed with a 32-pointed stellate plan.
• This stellar design is continued with the temple’s shikhara (tower), which has seven tiers. The shikhara’s upper tiers resemble cogged wheels with 48 dents.
• The Doddabasappa Temple exterior walls are decorated with pilasters and turrets placed at regular intervals, adding to the temple’s architectural and aesthetic appeal.

Best Time to Visit Doddabasappa Temple

This place is very heavenly and spiritual, and you can visit it all year. The best time to visit this temple, however, 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.

Famous Festivals In Doddabasappa Temple

• Shravana: For happiness and wealth, many fasts, offerings, and mantras are performed during the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, known as Shravana.
• Mahashivaratri is a fasting ritual that takes place in the last week of February. It is reminiscent of Lord Shiva bringing Goddess Parvati with him. A Grand Celebration is arranged by priests and the temple committee.

How to Reach Doddabasappa Temple

By Air: Bangalore International Airport is approximately 443 kilometres away, and Hubli Airport is approximately 80 kilometres away. Tourists can take a taxi or a bus from the airport to Dambal or Gadag.

By Rail: Dambal’s nearest railway station is Gadag. Tourists can hire an auto or take a bus from the railway station to

By Road: Dambal is 21 kilometres from Gadag. Gadag is well connected by road to all Karnataka cities. Buses to Dambal are available from Gadag.

Also Read – Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple

The Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple is Lord Shiva Temple located near Shikaripura in the Shimoga district of Karnataka state, India, in Balligavi. This Place was also known in ancient inscriptions as Belagami, Belligave, Ballagamve, and Ballipura. Balligavi was an important city during Western Chalukya rule in the 11th and 12th centuries, dotted with learning centres (agrahara).

The term Anadi Rajadhani (ancient capital) used to describe this town in mediaeval inscriptions tells a story of great antiquity. According to art historian Adam Hardy, the temple’s construction style is “Later Chalukya, non-mainstream, but relatively close to mainstream.” He dates the temple to the late 11th century, with inscriptional evidence of Hoysala additions made up to 1131 during their control of the region.

Significance of Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple

This temple is designed as a trikutachala (three shrines) and is thought to date from the 11th century. This east-facing temple has Shiva Lingas dedicated in the west and south, as well as a magnificent Lord Vishnu shrine in the north. Historians believe that the Shiva Linga in the south represents Lord Brahma and that the temple was designed to represent the union of the Trinity.

The temple honours the Hindu god Shiva. The Archaeological Survey of India categorises the architectural style as distinctly Hoysala. During this time, the Hoysala ruling family was a powerful feudatory of the imperial Western Chalukya Empire, gaining independence only during the reign of King Vishnuvardhana (1108-1152 A.D.). The Archaeological Survey of India has designated the temple as a national monument.

History of Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple

Balligavi, which housed the idol of Kedareshvara Temple, was a significant city during the Western Chalukya rule in the 11th and 12th centuries. The town, which had various learning centres known as agrahara, was then known as Anadi Rajadhani, which means “ancient capital” in mediaeval inscriptions.

The architectural style used to build the temple has been described as ‘later Chalukya, non-mainstream, relatively close to mainstream’ by Adam Hardy, a famous art historian who dates the edifice to the 11th century. An inscription caved on the temple attests to this fact, mentioning the various developmental activities undertaken by the Hoysala rulers until 1131 A.D.

The Architecture of Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple

The shrines to the west and south contain the Shivalinga (the universal symbol of the Hindu god Shiva), while the shrine to the north contains an image of the god Vishnu. According to some lithic records, the temple is linked to the legend of the demon Bali. In its heyday, the temple drew a large number of followers of Shaivism’s Kalamukha sect. A four-faced image of the god Brahma, which may have once been inside the temple, is on display in the temple complex’s museum.

The Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple is built in the trikuta style, with three shrines facing east, north, and south, each with its own superstructure or shikhara. The western shrine has a vestibule, while the other two have a “half hall” (ardhamantapa). All shrines lead to a six-pillared hall known as maha mandapa, which is preceded by a large ornate open “gathering hall” known as sabha mandapa.]

The gathering hall has a “staggered square” layout, which creates projections and recesses. Each wall projection has a complete “architectural articulation” (achieved through repetitive decoration). The gathering hall has three entrances: north, south, and east.

Except for the pilasters, which are capped by miniature decorative towers (aedicula), the outer walls of the shrines are quite austere. The superstructures over the shrines are three-tiered (tritala Arpita) vesara (a combination of south and north Indian styles), with sculptural details repeated in each tier.

Important Facts About Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple

• The Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple, a one-of-a-kind masterpiece of ancient Indian architecture, is located in the historical town of Balligavi in Karnataka’s Shimoga district.
• The Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple soapstone temple has distinct structural aesthetics, with abundant ornamentation, elegant sculptures, and intricately detailed architectural elements from both the Western Chalukya and Hoysala periods.
• The Temple faces East, which has three sides and a western Chalukya idiom on one side.
• The western shrine is thought to be the oldest, dating back to the 7th or 8th century. The mandapa’s ceiling is flat, and the inner ceiling is intricately carved with lotuses.
• The central shrine houses a Shivlinga made of black marble. The shrine to the south contains a Shivlinga known as Brahma, while the shrine to the north contains a statue of Janardhana, the supreme lord Vishnu.
• In 1060, King Vijayaditya incorporated the Hoysala symbol of Sala slaying tiger. All of the shrines lead to the maha mandapa, a six-pillared hall led by the sabha mandapa, a large ornate open gathering hall.
• The Archaeological Survey of India has designated the Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple as a protected monument.
• Sculptures from various eras are preserved in the museum adjacent to the Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple.
• Lord Vishnu, Naga Devata, Lord Veerabhadra, Mahishasuramardini, Sapta Matrikas, Trimurti, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, and others can be seen here, as well as a four-faced Shiva Linga.
• Within the Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple complex, there is another shrine called Prabhudeva, as well as shrines dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra and Lord Shiva.

Best Time to Visit Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple

This place is very heavenly and spiritual, and you can visit it all year. The best time to visit this temple, however, 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.

Famous Festivals In Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple

• Shravana: For happiness and wealth, many fasts, offerings, and mantras are performed during the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, known as Shravana.
• Mahashivaratri is a fasting ritual that takes place in the last week of February. It is reminiscent of Lord Shiva bringing Goddess Parvati with him. A Grand Celebration is arranged by priests and the temple committee.

How to Reach Balligavi Kedareshvara Temple

By Air: Hubli Airport is 130 kilometres away, and Belgaum Airport is 224 kilometres away from the temple.

By Rail: Shikaripura is the nearest major railway station from Balligavi at 22km from where you can get the train to all major stations of India.

By Road:  To get here by road, you can take government or private vehicles from nearby cities. Ballagavi is only 72 kilometres from Shivamogga, 21 kilometres from Shikaripura, 179 kilometres from Udupi, and 151 kilometres from Gokarna.

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