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 ( The Rishabam can be rotated ). 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