VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Shri Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple / தொட்டகடஹள்ளி லக்ஷ்மி தேவி கோவில் / ಪುರಾತನ ಶ್ರೀ ದೊಡ್ಡಗದ್ದವಳ್ಳಿ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ದೇವಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ, Doddagaddavalli / Doddagaduvalli, Hassan District, Karnataka.

Monday 14 August 2023

Shri Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple / தொட்டகடஹள்ளி லக்ஷ்மி தேவி கோவில் / ಪುರಾತನ ಶ್ರೀ ದೊಡ್ಡಗದ್ದವಳ್ಳಿ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ದೇವಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ, Doddagaddavalli / Doddagaduvalli, Hassan District, Karnataka.

The Visit to this Shri Doddagadavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple at Doddagadavalli, in Karnataka, was a part of “Karnataka State, Hoysala Period Shiva and temple’s visit”- between 28th to 30^th July 2023, organised by தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் "திருக்கச்சி" FB Group. The Doddagaddavalli, a small Village in Hassan district is on the banks of the lake and one of the oldest living Temple built during the reign of Hoysala Dynasty. The temple is locally called as “Kalammana Devasthana”.

Moolavar : Shri Lakshmi Devi

Some of the salient features of this temple are.....

The temple is facing east with an entrance on the south side. 4 small sannidhis are on the 4 corners of the temple complex, in one of the sannidhi a 3 tier Hero stone is installed. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance to the navaranga mandapam from out side. The shrines are dedicated to Lakshmi ( facing east ), Kali Durga, Shiva ( Bhoothanatha Linga on a square avudayar ) with a Rishabam ( A Gajalakshmi Panel is above the Shiva Lingam ) and most likely for Maha Vishnu, since there is no image in the sanctum sanctorum. Bairavar temple is on the north east side.

The Shrine of Lakshmi is facing east. Lakshmi is in standing posture with female attendees on both sides. Lakshmi is holding Sankha and Chakra in the upper hands and flower and mace in the lower hands

In praharam 4 parivara sannidhis, Inscription tablet ( with relief of Sun, moon, Lakshmi Devi at the centre, Chowry bearers on both sides, a rishabam and a man sitting with worshiping posture- May be a donor ), another Inscription tablet, Anjaneyar, Veerabhadra (..?) / Bairavar, Nagars, Hero stones, broken pieces of temple’s structure.

ARCHITECTURE

The total temple was built with Chloritic schist, more commonly known as soapstone. This is Chatuskuta temple of Hoysala architecture. The entrance mandapa on the south is with 16 nos of lathe turned Pillars. This Hoysala architecture temple consists of 4 shrines with individual vimanas and a common mandapam called ranga mandapa. The fourth Kali temple is connected to the ranga-mandapa with oblong extension. Totally 9 Shikaras which includes 4 parivara sannidhis.

The Vimanas are of pyramidal North Indian style Kadamba Nagara Shikaras / Vimanas. The individual sanctum Sanctorums are connected to the ranga-mandapam through ardha mandapam ( vestibule / antarala ). The ranga mandapam is open. The extension of Kali shrine is with jala for the natural light and ventilation.

The Sukanasis of the 4 Vimanas are extended up to vestibule / antarala. The Hoysala emblem of warrior “sala” fighting with Tiger ( actually it is Lion ) is on the Lakshmi’s temple Vimana sukanasi.

The ceiling of the main hall is supported by eighteen lathe-turned pillars. Tandaveswara / dancing Shiva / Nataraja is on the ceiling of the mandapa.

On both side entrances of Kali’s shrine, there are two 7 feet tall stone statue of an emaciated skeleton, betalas with fierce look. They are with big eyes and their tongues are protruding out side. They holds large sword and severed head.

HISTORY

This temple was built during 12^th Century. As per the inscriptions this place Doddagaddavalli was called as Gadumballi. The Lakshmi Devi temple, was built in 1113 CE by a wealthy merchant Kullahana Rahuta and his wife Sahaj Devi during the reign of Vishnuvardhana. The sculptor / sthapathi was called as Malloja Maaniyoja ( To be Verified ).

The temple is being maintained by the Archaeological survey of India ( ASI ).