Kedareshwara Temple

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Kedareshwara Temple

Karnataka is rich in heritage and has amazing temples spread all over the state which were built by various kings over thousands of years. The architecture and construction quality and technological knowledge those people had at that age is mind blowing. 

Balligavi, a town in Shikaripura taluk Shivamogga district of Karnataka state is one such place which has this amazing temple named "Kedareshwara Temple". The Kedareshvara Temple in Balligavi Around 43 km from Banavasi, and close to the town of Shiralakoppa, is the uneventful village of Balligavi. This tranquil village that was once home to around 54 temples and maths affiliated to Shaivas, Vaishnavas, Jains and Buddhists is now known for a couple of temples dating to the later Chalukya period. The Kedareshvara Temple, built with soapstone, has influences from both Chalukya and Hoysala School of architecture and can be dated to the 11 century A.D. 

This is an excellent example of a trikuta "triple towers" temple in a transitional Western Chalukya-Hoysala architecture. It is the oldest example of such a combinational style in Karnataka according to reports from the Mysore archaeological department. 

The temple faces east and has a stepped entrance on three sides. The entrance on the sides is a Western Chalukya idiom. The central shrine has a linga (universal symbol of Shiva) made from black marble (Krishnashila). The shrine to the south has a linga called Brahma and the shrine to the north has a statue of Janardhana (Vishnu). The temples outside plan is in "staggered-square" style with many projections and recesses which is a Hoysala design. The outer walls of the open mandapa (hall) have carvings of women wearing fine jewellery. The superstructure (tower) of the vimanaare very well decorated with sculptures of Tandaveshwara, Varaha, Uma Narasimha, Bhairava etc. and the sukanasi of all three towers still exist.The western shrine is the oldest dating from the 7th or 8th century. Attached to the vestibule that connects the shrines is a well designed openmantapa with two rows of pillars. The outer row of pillars are 16 faced while the inner row of pillars are lathe turned with bell shaped mouldings, a style popular with both Western Chalukys and Hoysalas. The ceiling of themantapa is flat and the inner ceiling is well carved with lotuses in them. The central ceiling has the carving of Tandaveshwara (dancing Shiva) with eight dikpalakas (guards). The entrance to the shrine which faces east has a Nandi, the bull and a celestial attendant of Shiva.

Incredible Architecture... INCREDIBLE BHARATHA