Same...yet different.
BELAVADI VEERANARAYANA TEMPLE
According to one estimate , the Hoysalas (Kings, Queens, Commanders and Ministers) built close to 1500 temples, big and small, between 1026 CE when they came to power to 1343 CE when they were finished off by Muslim forces from Madurai. Among those, about 550 temples have survived ruin and remain standing to this day, in various states of preservation.
Hoysala architecture, though much influenced by Chalukyan idiom, took on a very unique character when soapstone quarries were discovered and worked by them. Soapstone being a better material to work with than granite, which was being used till then, the architects and sculptors went all out to explore all possibilities with the material and came up with stunning results.
Building on a raised jagati ( platform), incorporating multiple shrines within a single temple, creating remarkable 'lathe turned' pillars and giving importance to profuse ornamentation became their hallmark. Many celebrated Sculptor Guilds worked across the kingdom and for the first time in temple building history, artisans signed their works.
But it is not true at all that if you have seen one Hoysala temple, you have seen them all, though to a casual eye , it may seem so.
BELAVADI , in Hassan district, which in identified as the legendary Ekachakranagara where Bhima killed Bakasura, is home to one of the biggest Hoysala temples, but is not so well known as Belur and Halebid which are close by.
It belongs to the 12th century and was built in two stages. The older part enshrines Veeranarayana. This 8ft tall image is considered the most beautiful moolavigraha ever made by the Hoysalas. The salient feature is a special attribute he holds in his left hand, The Veerayudha.
The later additions are the two sancta towards the entrance , one for a 8 Ft tall Venugopala and the other for a 7ft tall Yoganarasimha. These two shrines face each other across a large hall with many bell shaped pillars which are polished to a very high degree. The porch leading to this hall has many pillars too. And more pillars are found in the corridor leading to the Veeranarayana sanctum. Pillars galore ! In all, according to the priest, there are 108 pillars , none of the same design. At first glance only a few look different, the majority being bell shaped. But on closer inspection , it can be seen that there are minor and major differences in the number of tiers, the size of the bands and motifs on them. This great number of pillars create a great number of bays , the ceilings of which are richly carved. The bhuvaneshvaris at the entrance are particularly intricate, showing Krishna in various forms, surrounded by almost filigree like ornamentations all around.
The temple is unique in having a Mahadwara with sloping stone roof ( imitating the dravidian roofing that drain off rain water) that stands a few yards before temple proper, thus creating an open front yard . Its unfortunate that this pavilion is not well kept, being used as a storage space for odds and ends and smelling strongly of bat droppings.
Thankfully, once past this, everything is clean and beautiful.
The temple is provided with eaves on all sides and the mukhamantapa is lined with kakshasana - stone sofas with backrest .
Sculptures of various deities adorning the outer walls are routine Hoysala and not too finely made.
The star attractions are the Elephants , fully bejewelled, a pair each standing at the outer and inner entrances. Cuddle worthy !
Belavadi is not on the usual tourist circuit and does not see many footfalls.
It is an ASI Protected Monument and also a living temple.
According to one estimate , the Hoysalas (Kings, Queens, Commanders and Ministers) built close to 1500 temples, big and small, between 1026 CE when they came to power to 1343 CE when they were finished off by Muslim forces from Madurai. Among those, about 550 temples have survived ruin and remain standing to this day, in various states of preservation.
Hoysala architecture, though much influenced by Chalukyan idiom, took on a very unique character when soapstone quarries were discovered and worked by them. Soapstone being a better material to work with than granite, which was being used till then, the architects and sculptors went all out to explore all possibilities with the material and came up with stunning results.
Building on a raised jagati ( platform), incorporating multiple shrines within a single temple, creating remarkable 'lathe turned' pillars and giving importance to profuse ornamentation became their hallmark. Many celebrated Sculptor Guilds worked across the kingdom and for the first time in temple building history, artisans signed their works.
But it is not true at all that if you have seen one Hoysala temple, you have seen them all, though to a casual eye , it may seem so.
BELAVADI , in Hassan district, which in identified as the legendary Ekachakranagara where Bhima killed Bakasura, is home to one of the biggest Hoysala temples, but is not so well known as Belur and Halebid which are close by.
It belongs to the 12th century and was built in two stages. The older part enshrines Veeranarayana. This 8ft tall image is considered the most beautiful moolavigraha ever made by the Hoysalas. The salient feature is a special attribute he holds in his left hand, The Veerayudha.
The later additions are the two sancta towards the entrance , one for a 8 Ft tall Venugopala and the other for a 7ft tall Yoganarasimha. These two shrines face each other across a large hall with many bell shaped pillars which are polished to a very high degree. The porch leading to this hall has many pillars too. And more pillars are found in the corridor leading to the Veeranarayana sanctum. Pillars galore ! In all, according to the priest, there are 108 pillars , none of the same design. At first glance only a few look different, the majority being bell shaped. But on closer inspection , it can be seen that there are minor and major differences in the number of tiers, the size of the bands and motifs on them. This great number of pillars create a great number of bays , the ceilings of which are richly carved. The bhuvaneshvaris at the entrance are particularly intricate, showing Krishna in various forms, surrounded by almost filigree like ornamentations all around.
The temple is unique in having a Mahadwara with sloping stone roof ( imitating the dravidian roofing that drain off rain water) that stands a few yards before temple proper, thus creating an open front yard . Its unfortunate that this pavilion is not well kept, being used as a storage space for odds and ends and smelling strongly of bat droppings.
Thankfully, once past this, everything is clean and beautiful.
The temple is provided with eaves on all sides and the mukhamantapa is lined with kakshasana - stone sofas with backrest .
Sculptures of various deities adorning the outer walls are routine Hoysala and not too finely made.
The star attractions are the Elephants , fully bejewelled, a pair each standing at the outer and inner entrances. Cuddle worthy !
Belavadi is not on the usual tourist circuit and does not see many footfalls.
It is an ASI Protected Monument and also a living temple.
Comments