The Visit to this Shri Bucheshvara Swami Temple at Koravangala, in Karnataka, was a part of “Karnataka State, Hoysala Period Shiva and temple’s visit”- between 28th - 30th July 2023, organised by தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் "திருக்கச்சி" FB Group. Out of 1500 and odd temples built by the Hoysala dynasty, they were destroyed during Mohammadian’s invasion. About 500 temples were restored to their old glory and this is one of the temples restored.
Moolavar : Sri Bucheshvara Swami
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing East. Entrance to the sanctum sanctorum is from south & North ( Door is kept closed ) through Navaranga mandapam with Dwarapalakas and Elephants. Rishabam is under a mandapam in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Sanctum. Moolavar Shiva Lingam is in the sanctum on a Square Avudayar. Vinayagar, Uma Maheswarar, Natarajar are in the Deva koshtam along with Maha Vishnu and other deities.
A Bhairava Temple ( Facing south ), Hale Kannada inscription tablet and a 4 tier Veeragallu / Hero stone are installed in the praharam.
ARCHITECTURE
The total temple was built with chloritic schist, more commonly known as soapstone. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala / Sukanasi / Vestibule, Navaranga mandapam, ardha mandapa. Elephants and Dwarapalakas are at the South side entrance of the Ardha mandapam / Navaranga mandapam. A 3 tier Vimanam is on the Shiva Shrine. Hoysala’s royal emblem of Sala killing Tiger ( actually it is a lion ) is in the 2nd tier Vimana’s Sukanasi. Gajalakshmi is on the top of the Sanctum entrance. The Mandapa ( 4 Pillars at the centre ) in front of Shiva’s Shrine and Navaranga / Maha mandapa are supported with 32 lathe turned Pillars.
Surya shrine is on the opposite to Shiva’s Shrine. This shrine can be accessed through the ardha / Navaranga mandapam, which is open on the sides.
Bairavar temple is on the right side of the main temple facing south. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Bairavar temple. The temple is rectangular in shape, consists of sanctum sanctorum and a small mandapam. The temple’s roof is flat now without Vimanam
The sculptures are related to Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism, Ganapathyam ( worshipping of Ganesha ), depicting the scenes / themes of, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana etc are on the walls of the temple. Apart from the above some erotic sculptures are also there.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per the inscription this temple was built between 1200 CE to 1250 CE, during the reign of king Narasimha-I, by the three brothers, Buchcha, Govinda and Nakka. These are two dilapidated temples in the same Village belongs to Govinda eswarar Temple and Nakka eswarar Temple ( Display board says it is Nageshwara Temple ), built by the other two brothers. There is a legend behind this. The father of these three people was a big merchant. One day he told that, he will give all his wealth, to one of them who built a Shiva Temple which will be appreciated by all. All the three people built and Buchcha’s temple was selected as the best temple among three.
SRI GOVINDESHWARA TEMPLE, KORAVANGALA
The Govindeswara temple, built in 1160 CE by govindaraja minister of hoysala Narasimha-I consists of a garbhagriha, a sukhanasi and a navaranga of nine squares or ankanas, the entrance to the navaranga is through a porch with entrances from north and south. The Govindeshwara shrine has a ruined dome with octagonal ribs. The ornamented outer walls contain designed turrets borne on single or double pilasters, the porch, built in 1180 CE ( Inscription hassan 74 ) has an ornate ceiling with mahishamardini surrounded by ashtadikpalakas. There are three (3) inscriptions having reference to this temple
.JPG)
SRI NAGESHWARA TEMPLE, KORAVANGALA.
The Nageshwara temple and the Govindeshwara temple are twin temples, though ornate they are smaller in size and much plainer than the Bucheshwara temple. Nageshwara temple built by nakimayya during the period of hoysala Narasimha-I, consists of a garbhagriha, an open sukhanasi, a navaranga, a porch and a mukha mantapa. The navaranga has a fine doorway with two pierced square windows and 24 bell shaped pillars, among the carved ceilings, the central one bears the figure of nataraja surrounded by musicians. The ceiling of the porch is a grand piece of workmanship. The outer walls showing single or double pilasters are surmounted by turrets. One inscription reveals about the temple.
Ref :
Display boards at the entrance of the temples.
HOW TO REACH
The temple is about 4 KM from Koravangala railway station, 12 KM from Hassan, 36 KM from Halebeedu, 49 KM from Belur, 122 KM from Mysore and 182 KM from Bangalore.
Nearest Railway Station is Koravangala and Junction is Hassan.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
North side entrance
Entrance mandap Pillars
Maha Vishnu's avatars
Hero Stone ( will be written separately )
The snake skin.. We were warned before entering in to the temple about snakes
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
No comments:
Post a Comment