The Visit to this Shri Veeranarayana Swami Temple at Belavadi, 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. This temple is also called as Viranarayana temple of Belavadi, a small Village in Chikamagaluru district of Karnataka. It is believed that this place was associated with the epic Mahabharata and called as Ekachakranagar. Beema killed the demon Bakasura and saved the people of this village.
Moolavar : Shri Veeranarayana Swami
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is on the banks of Belavadi Kere / tank, facing east with a Dwajasthambam and two elephants on both side of the entrance. This is a threekuta temple dedicated for Maha Vishnu as Viranarayana facing east, Gopala facing north and Yoga Narasimha facing South.
Veeranarayana is about 8 feet tall made of saligrama, in standing posture on a padma peedam, with 4 hands holding sankha and chakra in the upper hands. Veeranarayana image is one of the best example of Hoysala art.
Venugopala is also about 8 feet tall in standing posture chiselled out of saligrama, playing flute under kalpa vruksham. Cattles are shown on both sides. Periya thiruvadi Garudan is at the base.
Yoga Narasimhar is little short about 7 feet in sitting posture, holding sankha and Chakra in the upper hands and lower hands are on the knees. The posture is called swastika asana. Yoga Narasimhar is also made of Saligramam. Sridevi and Bhudevi are on both sides. Sitting calm after killing Hiranyakasibu.
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ARCHITECTURE
The total temple was built with Chloritic schist, more commonly known as soapstone. The temple is with three separate sannidhis connected with a 103 feet ranga mandapa. This is a threekuta temple with Square sanctum sanctorum and a Vesara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Stone Elephants are at the entrance of the Temples. The Mandapas has number of bays supported with lathe turned soap stone pillars and intricately carved pillars.
The sanctum sanctorum is of square in shape with a projections in the middle. The Veeranarayana temple walls are plain and vimana has the intricately carved panels with deities related to vaishnavam.
The two new shrines, the Gopala and Yoga Narasimha, the sanctum sanctorum of which one is in square shape and the other one is in Star ie stellate shape. The Sanctum sanctorums are connected with main mandapam / navaranga mandapam through vestibule / antarala. The Suka nasis of the vimana on the first tier is extended up to vestibule.
The walls and Vimana of the main temple has number of sculpture panels of Maha Vishnu’s various avatars with and without his consorts in standing and sitting postures.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
This is one of the Temple built in 1200 CE, during the Hoysala King Veera Ballala-II period. During 14th Century Muslims invasion this temple was also subjected to damage. The structure of the temples Yoga Narasimhar and Gopala, indicates that the construction of the temple took long years, may around 1206 CE.
HOW TO REACH
The temple / Village is about 4 KM off from the Mangalore- Villupuram road, 12 KM from Halebeedu, 28 KM from Belur, 42 KM from Hassan, 155 KM from Mysore and 222 KM from Bangalore.
Nearest railway Station is Hassan.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Who could be the first one ... ?
Arjuna shoots a fish, seeing through the image in the water
A Lady seeing hear beauty in the mirror
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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