Sri Pataleshwara Temple / Sri Padaleeswarar Temple / or Vasukishwara Temple, Talakad, Karnataka.

17^th June 2018.

This Sri Pataleswara Shiva temple  is one of the Shiva temples of Panchalinga Temples in and around of Talakadu. Sri Pataleshwar Temple, Maraleshwara Temple and Vaidyanatheshwara Temples are near to each other and Arkeshwara temple and Mallikarjuna temples are out side Talakadu. We had visited the three Shiva temples out of 5 Shiva Temples in Talakadu.  These three temples are once under sand dunes. Excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI) during 1970s and protective walls are also constructed around the temple. This may be due change of direction of Kaveri River  or due to flood. But there is a local legend behind this phenomena. 

Moolavar : Sri Vasukishwara   or Sri Pataleshwara

Some of the important details are...

The temple is facing east and about 20 feet below the ground level surrounded by sand mount. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam.  The Mandapa pillars are squatrish pillars of Ganga order. The specialty of this temple is moolavar changes his colour from morning to evening from red to black and white during night.

Believed to be constructed during 8^th century by Rashtrakutas  and some claims that the original temple was built by Gangas during 10^th century. The sanctum constructed with jagati, trittakumuda, gala, ryalamala. Mouldings of this type of plinth is called as pratikrama type. The vimana was built during recent years. The temple inside has the Ganga’s style sculptures of Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Durga and Bairavar. One of the sanctum stone contains the Chozha period inscriptions. Inscribed after the Victory of Talakadu over the Gangas.

LEGENDS

As per the local legend, during 17^th century, the Mysore king  Raja wodeyar made Tirumalaraja also known as Ranga Raya as a care taker of Srirangapatna. His second wife Alamelamma took over when her husband left for Talakadu. She had a lot of jewelleries. When her husband was infected with a incurable decease, She headed towards Talakadu. When she was Travelling to talakadu, the Mysore king send his army people to rob the Jewelleries of Alamelamma. Fearing from the Raja Wodeyars army, She threw all the jewelleries in to the River Kaveri and ends her life by jumping in to the river. Before jumping she gave a curse…

 

"Talakadu Maralaagi (Talakadu become sandy – தலக்காடு மணல்மேடாகட்டும்).

Malingi Maduvaagi (Malingi become whirlpool – மலிங்கி மடுவாகட்டும் ).

Mysore dhorege makkalagade hogali (Mysore kings never have children – மைசூர் மன்னனுக்கு வாரிசு இல்லாமல் போகட்டும்)."

To prove Alamelamma’s curse, the complete Talakadu was submerged under sand dunes and the same was excavated during 1911 by ASI. ( The actual reason may be due to the flood in the river and might have changed its course ).  The Mysore Kings don’t have Children till 20^th Century. It was learnt that the present King had a Child during recent years. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 18.30 Hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

Talakad ia bout 29 KM from T Narasipura and 45 KM from Mysore and 130 KM from Bangalore.

KSRTC buses are available fro T Narasipura and Mysore.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Chozha inscriptions

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---  

Sri Janardana Temple at Malingi or Tadi Malingi, near Kollegal, Karnataka.

17^th June 2018.

It was learnt that, there is also an another 11^th century Chozha period temple in dilapidated condition in the same village Tadimalingi on the south bank of river Kaveri. The Village Tadimalingi is just opposite to Talakadu. When Mr John had shown the picture of this temple  to the villagers,  nobody could identify. Finally the same auto driver who guided us to the Sri Mahalingeshwara temple came to our rescue and send a person to show to us.

The temple was dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Janardana. Only the temple up to the ceiling exists and completely hidden under the  thick vegetation growth on it.  The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and an open / porch mandapam. The is no murthis inside the temple. The Pillars are very simple with simple capital / pothyal. The out side earth was covered up to jagathy and the sanctum was built with pathabanda adhistanam.

As per the Tamil inscriptions the temple was built during 10th century Rajaraja-I. As per the inscription the place was renamed as Jananathapura after the victory of Talakad. The inscription speaks about the donation given to the temple for burning perceptual lamp. During Chozha period an agraharam was also established on the banks of river Kaveri.

A stone chekku is also found near the temple with partially visible Chozha period inscription. Hope this might have been used to extract oil to burn lamp in the temple.

HOW TO REACH:

Tadimalingi is on the way  from Talakadu to Kollegal and about a KM off main road.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

                                                        Outer Corridor

 Simple pillar and capital (Pothyal) 

 Ashta mangala symbols - Kumbh and Lamp in the makara thorana of the niche 

 Chozha King Rajaraja-I inscription

 Stone Chekku ( Grinder or the oil extractor)

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Mahalingeswarar Temple / Mahalingeshwara Temple, Malingi or Tadi Malingi, Near Kollegal, Karnataka.

17^th June 2018.

After Talakadu Visit, on the way to Kaliyuru ( where the Chozha’s victory memorial tablet or the Hero Stone is found ) Mr John  told that there are two Chozha period  Temples at Malingi otherwise called as Tadimalingi. This Village is on the south bank of river Kaveri. It was told that this place was once called as Maavilangai which latter turned to Malingi. ( Tadi means edge in kannada, in this case edge of river Kaveri ). When we are about to return without able to locate the Shiva temple, an auto driver guided us to this temple.

Moolavar    : Sri Mahalingesvara

Some of the important details are..

The temple is facing east in the midst of houses of Malingi village without any proper approach. There is no proper entrance  and  entrance arch to this temple. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam.  The sanctum sanctorum is of pathabanda athistanam. The artha mandapam pillars are found cute with simple capital or pothyal. The niches are empty with out any koshta moorthams.  There is no vimana found above the sanctum.

In the Antarala, the remains of saptamatrikas group of Varahi,  Brahmi, Maheswari, Indrani and Veerabhadra. Jyeshta Devi image ( not a fine finished and without big belly ) is also in the antarala.

The period of the temple built is not known, but an early Chozha’s  Kali icon was mentioned in a middle Chozhas book written by S R Balasubramaniam. Inscriptions are found on the sanctum wall and kumudam of the mandapam. The inscriptions belongs to 1042 AD, Rajendran –I period starts with his title 'Thirumanni valara" - திரு மன்னி வளர- speaks about the donation made to this temple.  The temple had undergone renovations during the recent years.

Rajendra-I, inscription

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

There is no fixed time, but the key is available with the nearby house.

HOW TO REACH:

Tadimalingi is on the way  from Talakadu to Kollegal and about a KM off main road.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE     :CLICK HERE

 A koshtam with out images 

 Pillars Mandapam Pillars with simple capital

 Jyeshta devi

 Inscriptions on the floor

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at T. Narasipura/ Tirumakudalu Narasipura, near Mysore, Karnataka.

17^th June 2018.

This Shiva temple is on the north banks of river Kaveri at the junction of the three rivers Kaveri, Kabini and Swasthika. Hence this place is called as Tirumakudalu Narasipura, in short T Narasipura.

The presiding deity : Sri Agastheswara

Consort                  : Sri Purnamangaia-Kamakshi 

Some of the important details are …

The temple is facing east with a 4 tier Rajagopuram on north. Nandhi, Dwajasthambam and palipeda are at the front. A stucco Nandhi is also there on an elevated plane. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and maha mandapam. There are no koshta moorthams around sanctum. The moolavar vimana is in globe shape, with a big nasi on east side. The Rajagopuram was built in dravidian style with stucco images of lakshmi Narasimha, Shiva with Parvathi, etc on the top tier. The rajagopuram was supported by wooden columns from inside.

As per the legend, the sage Agasthiya asked Hanuman to bring Shiva Linga fro Kasi to worship on the banks of river Kaveri. When the Hanuman didn’t turned up to the correct time, the sage Agasthiya made Shiva Linga from the sand and pooja was performed.The Shiva linga also called as “Saikata-linga” ie formed of sand with a cavity containing water on it, believed to represent the Ganges. When the water is filled in the cavity the excess water flows through an aperture below called ‘Nabhi’ or navel of the Linga.  A separate sannadhis are there for Hanuman with the Shiva Linga, Someshvara and Markandyeshvara linga along with the Hanumantheshvara and Gargyeshvara linga form the “Pancha-lingas”. Kumbhamela is performed once in every three years.

 Padabandha adhistanam

As per the Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage, Bangalore, this Agastheswarar temple was constructed during 10 to 11^th century by Chozhas and patronized by the latter kings like Gangas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara dynasty and Mysore Wodeyars. The temple is under reconstruction and dismantling was in progress with proper identification during our visit. Seen the basement of the mandapam and sanctums are filled with river sand, during earlier construction.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is on the Mysore to Kollegal road, about 34 KM from Mysore  and 150 KM from Bangalore.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 The dismantled pillars 

The inside view of Rajagopuram

The wooden columns supports the Rajagopuram

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Divya Lingeshwara Shiva Temple / Sri Divyalingeshwara Temple at Haradanahalli, Chamarajanagar, Karnataka.

17^th June 2018.

During our last visit, skipped this temple for want of time. This time we had been to this temple. The temple is on the side of high way. This is the birth place of Sri Yediyur Siddalingeshwara.

Presiding deity : Sri Divyalingeshwara

Consort           : Sri Kamakshi

Some of the important details are as follows.....  

The temple is facing east with a deepa sthambam in front. The front Rajagopuram 5 tiers collapsed during 2005 rain and stands up to ceiling. The Rajagopuram walls has the reliefs like Adhikara nandhi, varunan, Pulikuthikal, manmadhan, rathi, etc...  The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, artha mandapam and a maha mandapam. Nandhi is in the  front mandapam. The nandhi looks cute. Ashtathiku balakars reliefs are on the ceiling of the mandapam. Dwarapalakas are in the form of reliefs on a slab stone,  unlike in Tamilnadu temples. In koshtam there are no koshta devthas.   Temples for Veerabhadra, Saraswathi and Kamakshi are on the left side of Navarang mandapam.

There are no sub shrines in the prakaram. The 15 Kannada inscription tablets kept along the north side of the temple compound wall. The inscription tablets has the reliefs of moon, sun, Kattari Trident and nandhi on the top of the tablets. The temple was believed to be built during 1316 CE by Hoysala emperor Ballala-III. But another inscription carved on a huge slab behind the Saraswathi temple ascribed  to 1511 CE, gives the details of  construction of this temple. In one of the inscription, it says that the temple was built by Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara Empire in commemoration of his victory in the south, Ummathur in Chamarajanagar taluk. This temple was patronised by Wadiyars.

Kannada inscription tablet

15 Kannada inscription tablets

Two hero stones and 4 pieces of ‘garuda gamba’ are lying in front of the temple ground. The broken ‘garuda gamba’ is about 42 feet high.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

Haradanahalli is about  8 KM from Chamarajanagar.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Ashtadikpalakas centre relief  of Nataraja

The remains of rajagopuram after the rain

 Dwarapalakas

 one of the Ashtadikpalaka 

one of the Ashtadikpalaka 

Pulikuthikal as a pillar relief

Cute Rishabam

Pic Courtesy : THE HINDU

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Parshvanath Tirthankara at Talakad, the remains of Jainism at Talakad, Karnataka.

17^th June 2018.

There was a heavy rush to Talakad on Sunday, 17^th June 2018, due to Ramzan Holidays. Muslims gathered in large number to take bath in Kavery river. So vehicles are poured in this small hamlet. At the entrance of the Village from the main road, we were diverted to cross channel to reach the Village. On the banks of the channel we could find this Parshvanath tirthankara under the clutches of a peepal tree roots. ( may not be possible to take it out now). Jain temple might have been destroyed, since this place was once ruled by the Vishnuvardhan, a Hoysala King, who followed Jainism.

This tirthankara may belongs to 12th century Hoysala King Vishnuvardhan period before he converted to Vaishnavam from Jainism. As per the history the King Bitti Deva converted as Vishnuvardhan under the influence of Vaishnavite saint Ramanujar.

கடந்த ஞாயிறு 17ந்தேதி ஜூன் 2018, அன்று நாங்கள் தமிழக கருநாடக மாநிலங்களின் எல்லையில் உள்ள தழைக்காடு சென்று இருந்தபோது இந்த பார்சுவநாதர் சிற்பத்தைக்காண நேர்ந்தது. முகமதியரின் பண்டிகையான ரம்ஜான் விடுமுறையைத் தொடர்ந்து வந்ததால் அந்த ஞாயிறு வழக்கத்தை விட கூட்டம் கொஞ்சம் அதிகமாகவே இருந்தது. ஊருக்குள் செல்ல பாதை மாற்றி விடப்பட்டு ஒருகால்வாயைக் கடந்து செல்ல நேர்ந்தது. அப்படி செல்கையில் இந்த பார்சுவநாத தீர்த்தங்கரர் சிற்பம் ஒரு மரத்தின் அடியில் இருப்பதைக் கண்டோம். அருகிலேயே இரு வீரக்கற்களுடன். சிற்பத்தின் கால் பகுதி மரத்தின் வேர்களால் விழுங்கப்பட்டு காணப்பட்டது. சிற்பத்தில் பார்சுவநாதருக்கு மேலே உள்ள பாம்பு மட்டும் சிறிது சேதம் அடைந்து காணப்பட்டது. இது பண்ணிரண்டாம் நூற்றாண்டு போசால அரசன் விஷ்னுவர்த்தன் காலத்தைச் சார்ந்ததாக இருக்கலாம் என்று அனுமானிக்கப்படுகின்றது.. இங்கு ஒரு சமண ஜீனாலயம் இருந்து பின்பு காலவெள்ளத்தால் அழிக்கப்பட்டு இருக்கலாம். ஆனாலும் இந்த பார்சுவநாதர் சிற்பம் மட்டும் சமணத்தின் எச்சமாக இன்றும் நின்றுகொண்டு இருக்கின்றது. 

பிட்டி தேவனாக இருந்த சமண மதத்தைச் சார்ந்த போசால அரசனை வைஷ்ணவ ஆச்சாரியரான ராமானுஜர் சமணத்தில் இருந்து வைஷ்னவத்திற்க்கு விஷ்ணுவர்த்தனாக மாற்றம் அடைய வைத்தார் என்பது வரலாறு.

LOCATION: 12.180275  77.030254

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Hero Stone / Veeragallu / NadukaRkal / நடுகற்கள், at Kaliyur erected to celebrate the Victory of Chozhas over Gangas. at Haradanahalli, Karnataka, a Talakad Heritage Walk.

17^th June 2018.

This is the continuation post on Hero stones during Talakad heritage visit. When we inquired about hero stone erected for the Chozha Victory over the Gangar's, the villagers directed us to many places and one of the Villagers came to our rescue and showed us a group of hero stones  erected behind the temple. Since the hero stones showed  was not the one, what we wanted to see. Again we talked to the Villagers and finally showed us this 11^th century ( 1006 CE ) Chozha hero stone kept on the back side of a temple ( Thanks to Sasi team  for identifying the same ).  In the hero stone 2/3^rd  of the stone slab has the kannada  inscriptions and 1/3^rd has the  war scene  between Rajaraja Chozha headed by his Caption Kottamangala Thella Kulathilaka Aprameyan and the Gangars. The Inscription starts with Rajaraja-I's, title and also mentions the names of 18 Gangar's captains killed in the battle. The battle scene is finely carved on this slab, for which no description is required. 

The capture of the messenger by the Gangars was the main reason behind this battle. Rajaraja traveled from Chozha Nadu with Elephant and horse forces to teach a lesson to Gangas. The Gangas in fear of loosing the Capital Talakad, crossed the Cauvery river and faced the war at kaliyur on the south banks of the river. 18 captains of Gangars, Hoysalas and Nulambas were killed in the fierce battle held on 22-03-1006 with a heavy loss of solders, horses and elephant. Finally Chozhas won the battle and captured Talakad and renamed as Rajarapuram.

The place, where the battle took place was once called as Kavalur ( since the place was guarding Talakadu) and latter turned to Kalaiyur during Chozha period and now Kaliyur. The historians like Sri Appadurai and Sri Sadasiva Pandarathar mentions as Kaliyur.  

  

TALAKAD

In addition to Sri Parshvanath tirthankara ( wil be written in a separate post ), we had seen two more hero stones. Both are 3 tiers and more than 75% of the first tier was found below the ground level. The sword of the hero is very much similar to the one  shown in Haradanahalli hero stone.

KALIYURU - MUDI GUNDAM

It was around 17 hrs, when we completed the Kaliyuru visit and started our return journey to Erode, skipping the program of visiting a Chozha period temple at Mudigundam before Kollegal. Happened to see hero stones by the side of the road. Out of two reliefs one was mahishamardini relief and other one was a hero stone. This 3 tier hero stone is for a bullock cart hero who lost life. In the first tier the hero was driving a bullock cart and in the second tier the Hero was taken to heaven by the angels. In the top row hero was shown worshipping Lord Shiva. Had our lunch at 17.30 hrs at Kollegal and continued our return journey to Erode.

 mahishamardini relief 

bullock cart hero Stone.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---