Saturday, 1 September 2018

Sri Ramalingeshwara / Sri Ramalingeswara Group of Temples, Avani, in Kolar District, Karnataka.

21st August 2018.


Sri Ramalingeshwara Group of temples are constructed in the names of Heroes of the epic Valmiki Ramayan in Kolar district of Karnataka. The temples are built in Dravidian style of architecture by the 10th century  Nolamba king Tribhuvana Kartara Bhatara or Deva, who ruled this Avani sthana for 40 years and constructed 50 temples, two tanks and died in the year 961 AD.  Latter renovated by the Chozha and Vijayanagara Kings.  The temples and sub shrines in the premises are…
1.   Sri Ramalingeswara Temple
2.   Sri Lakshmana Lingeshwara Temple
3.   Sri Bharateshwara Temple
4.   Sri Shatrughna Lingeshwara Temple.
5.   Sri Ramanjaneya Temple
6.   Sri Parvati Temple.
7.   Pancha Lingas.
8.   Sri Vigneswara Temple

Sri Ramalingeswara Temple….. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and ardha mandapa / Navrang. The pillars of the arthamandapa are with ornate carvings resemble to manasthamba ( jains  ???). The adhisthana has moldings with kirthimukas and yazhi. The walls are supported with pilasters and Dravidian architecture vimana on the sanctum.  Moolavar Shiva Linga is made of dark stone but in smaller size compared to Sri Lakshmana Lingeshwara Temple.


Sri Lakshmana Lingeshwara Temple….. This temple was built by Nolambas in 10th Century CE. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, an antarala and artha mandapa / Navarang. In the sanctum Shiva lingam is the largest of all the temples of this Complex. Nandhi is in the ardha mandapa. The ceiling, above Nandhi has the bas-reliefs of Ashtadik balakas keeping Uma-Maheswara at the centre. Saptamatrikas are installed in the arthamandapa.The vimana above the sanctum is of Dravidian style of architecture made out of brick and mortar during Vijayanagara period.

The South mahadwara was built by Chozhas. The adhisthana is with Upana, Jagati, Kumuda ( three faces ) has the five mouldings, ornate with kudus, friezes of elephants, lions, yazhis and makara head. The Adhisthana is called as kapothabandha adhisthana. The sanctum walls are supported by the pilasters and sculptures of Dwarapalakas ( Chozha period ), Shiva, Bairava, Bairavi, Vishnu, Ganesha, Nataraja, Mahishamardini. The adhithanam has 10th century inscription  starts with “Sri Tribhuvana Kartara Bhatra” 
 

Sri Bharateshwara Temple…. This temple is smaller and less ornate than that of Sri Shatrughna Lingeshwara Temple. The entrance  contains the auspicious  symbols like Kalasa, Lamp and sanga Nidhi and Padmanidhi. The Gajalakshmi is on the top. Dwarapalakas are also carved on the sides. The pillars resembles the manastambha. An  octagonal shape  pillared mandapam with Rishabam is  in front of the temple. A panel Ashtadikpalakas with Uma-Maheswara is in the arthamandapa above Nandhi. The 10th century Nolamba inscription is on the adhistanam.  This temple is also called as Nolambanarayaneshwara   and constructed by Divabbarasi The the inscription is on the plinth. 
 

Sri Shatrughna Lingeshwara Temple This temple is very much similar to Sri Lakshmana Lingeshwara temple, both shape and size. But the adhisthana has three cornice only. One of which is rounded and another has the rows of poorly carved lions. The entrance is made of dark strap stone and ornate bond with Gajalakshmi on the lintel. The navarang mandapa is similar to that of Sri Lakshmana Lingeshwara temple, has the 16 face pillars with floral hanging. This has the contribution of Chozhas. The adhisthana has the Rajaraja-II and Kulothunga Chozha's 10th year rule inscriptions. The inscriptions mentions as "கல்யாணபுரம் கொண்ட சோழவளநாட்டு ஆவணி...திருமீஸ்வரமுடையார்"...  "நிகரிலி சோழமண்டலத்து"...


Sri Ramanjaneya Temple… This temple is similar to Satrughan Lingeshwara Temple except the base and cornice / Kumudam and Yazhi vari. Here elephants are shown prominently. The entrance to this shrine seems to be small. The alter / balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are in front.


Sri Parvati Temple…. It was told that parvati is of swayambhu and sita is near parvati. 
  

As per the legend Rama  after the war with Ravana, returned to Ayodhya and on the way stayed here for some time. Lava & Kusha are born to Sita here and was brought up by Valmiki who wrote the epic Ramayana. The Vijayanagar symbols may be worth to see. The relief of Tirthankara without mukkudai….???? And manasthamba mentioned by the historians needs  to be studied further. This temple Complex is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI)

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:
Bus facility is available from Mulbagal
Avani is about 30 km from Kolar and 100 KM from Bangalore City.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE









---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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