Govindanahalli
It was heartening to note that all the people whom we stopped on the way to ask for directions to Govindanahalli were aware of , and even proud of , The Panchalingeswara Temple . But though " Gavinalli Panchalinga" ( as pronounced locally) is well known within K.R.Pete district, this ASI protected monument has little publicity outside . Too bad. Of the many Hoysala temples, this shrine , dated 1238 AD, is unique. While most Hoysala shrines have eka- , dwi- or tri- kuta vimanas, this one is Pancha kuta, with five towers . And in another radical departure, they are all lined up in a row and not around a central vestible. It definitely looks different, though the pillars, decorative figures and the tiered pagodas bear the unmistakable hoysala stamp. It has a single cell and this is a long pillared corridor, with five shrines to the five forms of Shiva placed in a row ( Ishana, Tatpurusha, Vamana, Aghora and Sadyojatha ) Each shrine has its own Nandi...