22nd June 2019.
The visit to this temple was a part of the ancient temples of Karnataka’s visit on 22nd June 2019. After Honganoor Sri Varadharar temple’s visit, had been to this temple in the midst of the sugarcane field. There is an another Anjaneya temple is just few meters away from this temple. The Anjaneyar is kept outside and renovation is in progress. The temple is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Moolavar : Sri Arkeaswara
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a Nandhi mandapa. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum antrala and arthamandapam. The Moolavar Arkeswara is in worship. The sanctum sanctorum was built on a on a raised simple pathabanda adhistana. There is no Vimana over the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum entrance is decorated with reliefs of dancing Apsaras, which extends up to door jamb and lintel. On both side are 4 panel reliefs depicts the male drummers ( dola nirtya ). The other musicians plays the Violin rudra veena, flute, Kanjira etc,.
In the arthamandapa images of Saptamatrika. At the entrance of the sanctum there are two large size Male and female images in standing posture, installed like Dwarabalakas. The arthamandapa is supported by round pillars has the reliefs around. The artamandapa ceiling has the panel of ashtadikpalaka with their vahanas – the guardians of eight directions. Dancing Shiva is at the center.
In the prakara there are many loose sculptures of Shiva, Ravaleeswara, Dhakshinamurthy, Amman, Mahishamardhini, Vinayaga, Hero stones ( veerakallu ), Sati stones ( Ondikai masti ), Saptamatrika, etc,. These sculptures belongs to latter stage, might have brought from elsewhere.
The Nandhi mandapa is supported by 4 round pillars with bas-reliefs around. These reliefs depicts the battle scene along with various deities, Themes from Hindu epic, mythical figures and demi-gods. The arthamandapa pillars also has the same reliefs.
HISTORY:
This 10th Century temple was built by the Ganga Dynasty Prince Butuga, who ruled under the Rastrakuta King Krishna –III ( 939-967 AD). This temple was built to commemorate the victory of Rastrakudas over Chozhas in the battle at Takkolam ( 948-49AD). In the Battle the Chozha Prince Rajaditya was killed by Butuga. Latter after the victory of Chozhas during Rajaraja-I and Rajendra –I, period, the temple came under Chozhas. The temple received contributions from Chozhas, Vijayanagaras. Tamil inscriptions are found on the adhistana ( recorded in epigraphia Carnatica ).
INSCRIPTIONS:
A 1211-12 AD
Inscription records some gift. Alur is referred to as Sothern Ayyavole ( Aihole?
). Sevaral givundas and other local officials are mentioned.
A 11th to 12th Century inscription records a gift of 3 gadyu… for maintaining a perpetual lamp to god Tirumanikkalvar from the month of Adi of the cyclic year Vilambi by Kerajara(..)n of Karumanur in Vellappa-nad. The gamundas were to protect the gift.
A 13th
Century inscription records the sthanapati of Alur and some gavundas figuring as signatories
Sripadalvan figures as the writer (
engraver ?) of the record.
A 4th Feb
1277AD inscription registers the grant of wet and dry lands and garden, free
of Taxes, for the services of god Arkeswara, in Alur described as Southern
Ayyavale, by the tellas(?) and others. The record belongs to the reign of Vira
Narasimha-III.
HOW TO REACH:
This place ( Hale ) Alur and the temple is between Honganoor and Terkanambi.
About 2 km from Honganoor.
Saptamatrika
Drummers & Musicians and dancers
Ravaleeswara
Durga as Mahishamardini
Vinayagar with Yoga Dhakshinamurthy
Ashtadikpalas with Natarajar
Takkolam battle scene around the pillar
Butuga kills Rajaditya
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
