22nd
June 2019.
The
visit to this temple was a part of the ancient temples of Karnataka’s visit on
22nd June 2019. After the Honganoor
Sri Varadaraja temple’s visit, had went to this temple in the midst of the
sugarcane field. There is another Anjaneya temple is just a few meters away
from this temple. The Anjaneyar is kept outside and renovation is in the process.
The temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Moolavar: Sri Arkeshwara (Arakeshvara)
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple is facing east with a Nandi mandapa. The sanctum sanctorum consists of
sanctum antrala and artha mandapam. The Moolavar Arakeshwara is in worship. The
sanctum sanctorum was built on a raised simple pada bandha adhisthana. There
is no Vimana over the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum entrance is decorated with reliefs of dancing Apsaras extending up to the door jamb and lintel. On both sides are 4-panel reliefs
depicting the male drummers (dola nritya). The other musicians play the Violin
rudra veena, flute, Kanjira, etc.
Drummers & Musicians and dancers
In
the ardha mandapa images of Saptamatrika. At the entrance of the sanctum, there
are two large-sized images of Males and females in standing posture, installed like
Dwarapalakas. The ardha mandapa is supported by round pillars that the reliefs
around it. The ardha mandapa ceiling has a panel of ashtadikpalakas with their
vahanas – the guardians of eight directions. Dancing Shiva is at the center.
Ashtadikpalakas with Nataraja
In
the prahara, there are many loose sculptures of Shiva, Ravaleeswara, Dakshinamurthy,
Amman, Mahishamardini, Vinayaga, Hero stones (Veeragallu), Sati stones (Ondikai masti), Saptamatrika, etc,. These sculptures belong to the latter stage and might have been brought from elsewhere.
Saptamatrikas
The Rishabam mandapa is supported by 4 round pillars with bas-reliefs around. These
reliefs depict the battle scene along with various deities, Themes from Hindu
epics, mythical figures, and demigods. The
ardha mandapa pillars also have the same reliefs.
HISTORY:
This 10th-century temple was built by the Ganga Dynasty Prince Butuga, who ruled under the Rashtrakuta King Krishna –III (939-967 CE). This temple was built to
commemorate the victory of Rashtrakutas over Chozhas in the battle at Thakkolam (948-49 CE). In the
Battle, the Chozha Prince Rajaditya was killed by Butuga. Later after the
victory of Chozhas during the 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).
Thakkolam battle scene around the pillar
Butuga kills Rajaditya
A 1211-12 CE Inscription records some gifts. Alur is referred to as Southern Ayyavole (Aihole?). Several givundas and other local officials are mentioned.
An 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
1277 CE inscription registers the grant of wet and dry lands and gardens, free
of Taxes, for the services of god Arkeshwara, in Alur described as Southern
Ayyavole, 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 Terakanambi.
About
2 km from Honganoor.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Ravaleeswara
Durga as Mahishamardini
Vinayagar and Veerabhadra (a part of Saptamatrika)
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
Nice ! Thanks for the info !
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