Kalleshvara Temple, Bagali
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Kalleshvara temple (also spelt Kallesvara or Kalleshwara) ()is located in the town of Bagali (called Balgali in ancient inscriptions) near to
Harpanahalli Harapanahalli is a city and sub-divisional headquarter of Harapanahalli, Huvina Hadagali, and Kotturu Taluks; and the headquarter of Harapanahalli taluk in the Vijayanagara district. it is the second largest and fastest growing city in the Vijay ...
town in the
Davangere district Davanagere district is an administrative district of Karnataka state in India. It is the centre of Karnataka. The city of Davanagere is the district headquarters. It had a population of 1,643,494 of which 32.31% was urban as of 2011. This dist ...
of
Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...
state,
India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
.


Construction

The construction of the temple spans the rule of two
Kannada Kannada (; ಕನ್ನಡ, ), originally romanised Canarese, is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in southwestern India, with minorities in all neighbouring states. It has around 47 million native s ...
dynasties: the
Rashtrakuta Dynasty Rashtrakuta (IAST: ') (r. 753-982 CE) was a royal Indian dynasty ruling large parts of the Indian subcontinent between the sixth and 10th centuries. The earliest known Rashtrakuta inscription is a 7th-century copper plate grant detailing their ...
during the mid-10th century, and the
Western Chalukya Empire The Western Chalukya Empire ruled most of the western Deccan, South India, between the 10th and 12th centuries. This Kannadiga dynasty is sometimes called the ''Kalyani Chalukya'' after its regal capital at Kalyani, today's Basavakalyan in the ...
, during the reign of founding King
Tailapa II Tailapa II (r. c. 973-997), also known as Taila II and by his title ''Ahavamalla'', was the founder of the Western Chalukya dynasty in southern India. Tailapa claimed descent from the earlier Chalukyas of Vatapi, and initially ruled as a Rashtr ...
(also called Ahava Malla) around 987 AD. (the dynasty is also called Later or Kalyani Chalukya). The consecration of the temple was done by an individual called Duggimayya. Art historian
Adam Hardy Professor Adam Hardy is an architect and architectural historian, and Professor of Asian Architecture at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University. He is Director of PRASADA, a centre bringing together research and practice in South A ...
classifies the architectural style of the temple as "Late Rashtrakuta ''vimana'' (shrine and tower) with erotic carvings, and a closed ''
mantapa A mandapa or mantapa () is a pillared hall or pavilion for public rituals in Indian architecture, especially featured in Hindu temple architecture. Mandapas are described as "open" or "closed" depending on whether they have walls. In temples, ...
'' (hall), fronted by a Later Chalukya non-mainstream open ''mantapa'', the building material for which is
soapstone Soapstone (also known as steatite or soaprock) is a talc-schist, which is a type of metamorphic rock. It is composed largely of the magnesium rich mineral talc. It is produced by dynamothermal metamorphism and metasomatism, which occur in the zo ...
". The existing tower over the shrine may be a later day re-construction.Hardy (1995), p 323 The temple, whose premises have yielded thirty-six old Kannada inscriptions (''danashasana'', ''lit'', describing donations) from the 10th and 11th centuries, is protected as a monument of national importance by the
Archaeological Survey of India The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is an Indian government agency that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural historical monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexande ...
.


Temple plan and decoration

The temple plan comprises a main shrine for the Hindu god
Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
with a sanctum (cella or ''
garbhagriha A ''garbhagriha'' or ''sannidhanam'' is the ''sanctum sanctorum'', the innermost sanctuary of a Hindu and Jain temples where resides the ''murti'' (idol or icon) of the primary deity of the temple. In Jainism, the main deity is known as the ''M ...
'') facing east, a
vestibule Vestibule or Vestibulum can have the following meanings, each primarily based upon a common origin, from early 17th century French, derived from Latin ''vestibulum, -i n.'' "entrance court". Anatomy In general, vestibule is a small space or cavity ...
(antechamber or ''
antarala Antarala (Sanskrit: अन्तराल, lit. ''intermediate space'') is a small antechamber or foyer between the garbhagriha (shrine) and the mandapa A mandapa or mantapa () is a pillared hall or pavilion for public rituals in Indian arch ...
''), a main closed hall (''maha
mantapa A mandapa or mantapa () is a pillared hall or pavilion for public rituals in Indian architecture, especially featured in Hindu temple architecture. Mandapas are described as "open" or "closed" depending on whether they have walls. In temples, ...
'') with an entrance in the south and east. These structures are attributed to the 10th century Rashtrakuta rule. The closed hall is preceded by a large, open gathering hall (''sabhamandapa'') with fifty highly ornate lathe turned pillars that support a decorative ceiling. Also provided are a shrine for the Sun god
Surya Surya (; sa, सूर्य, ) is the sun as well as the solar deity in Hinduism. He is traditionally one of the major five deities in the Smarta tradition, all of whom are considered as equivalent deities in the Panchayatana puja and a m ...
with a hall (''mukhamandapa'') facing the east-west orientation, and a small shrine for the
deity A deity or god is a supernatural being who is considered divine or sacred. The ''Oxford Dictionary of English'' defines deity as a god or goddess, or anything revered as divine. C. Scott Littleton defines a deity as "a being with powers greate ...
Narasimha Narasimha ( sa, नरसिंह, lit=man-lion, ), sometimes rendered Narasingha, is the fourth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is regarded to have incarnated in the form of a part-lion, part-man being to slay Hiranyakashipu, to end rel ...
(a form of the Hindu god
Vishnu Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism. Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" within t ...
) in the north of the gathering hall. These constructions are ascribed to the Western Chalukya rule. In all, there are eight small shrines built around the main shrine. Of the fifty pillars, twenty four pillars are located over the platform ('' jagati'') provided with a balcony seating (''kakshasana''). The door ways (
doorjamb A jamb (from French ''jambe'', "leg"), in architecture, is the side-post or lining of a doorway or other aperture. The jambs of a window outside the frame are called “reveals.” Small shafts to doors and windows with caps and bases are know ...
and
lintel A lintel or lintol is a type of beam (a horizontal structural element) that spans openings such as portals, doors, windows and fireplaces. It can be a decorative architectural element, or a combined ornamented structural item. In the case of w ...
) of the eastern doorway that faces the
Nandi Nandi may refer to: People * Nandy (surname), Indian surname * Nandi (mother of Shaka) (1760–1827), daughter of Bhebe of the Langeni tribe * Onandi Lowe (born 1974), Jamaican footballer nicknamed Nandi * Nandi Bushell (born 2010), South Afri ...
(bull, a companion of the Hindu god
Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
), and the southern doorway that forms an entry into the close hall are intricately decorated. A few independent sculptures from the late Chalukyan period are found in the closed hall. These include
Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
, Umamahesvara (Shiva with his consort Parvati),
Ganesha Ganesha ( sa, गणेश, ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon and is the Supreme God in Ganapatya sect. His image is found throughout India. Hindu d ...
,
Kartikeya Kartikeya ( sa, कार्त्तिकेय, Kārttikeya), also known as Skanda, Subrahmanya, Shanmukha (), and Murugan ( ta, முருகன்), is the Hindu god of war. He is the son of Parvati and Shiva, the brother of Ganesha ...
,
Surya Surya (; sa, सूर्य, ) is the sun as well as the solar deity in Hinduism. He is traditionally one of the major five deities in the Smarta tradition, all of whom are considered as equivalent deities in the Panchayatana puja and a m ...
, Anantasayana (the god
Vishnu Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism. Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" within t ...
seated on a snake),
Sarasvati Saraswati ( sa, सरस्वती, ) is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. She is one of the Tridevi, along with the goddesses Lakshmi and Parvati. The earliest known mention of Saraswati as a god ...
and
Mahishamardini Durga ( sa, दुर्गा, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Durga's legend centres around comb ...
(a form of the goddess
Durga Durga ( sa, दुर्गा, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Durga's legend centres around co ...
).


See also

*
Kalleshwara Temple, Hire Hadagali The Kalleshwara temple (also spelt Kalleshvara or Kallesvara) is located in the town of Hire Hadagali of the Hoovina Hadagalitaluk in Bellary district of Karnataka state, India. Kalleshwara Temple The temple was constructed by Demarasa, prime ...
*
Kalleshvara Temple, Ambali The Kalleshvara temple (also spelt Kalleshwara or Kallesvara) is located in the town of Ambali in Bellary district of Karnataka state, India. According to an Old Kannada inscription (dated 1083) placed in the ''sabhamantapa'' (''lit'', "gathering ...


Notes


Gallery

File:Kalleshvara temple (987 AD) at Bagali 1.JPG, Close up of shrine and closed mantapa outer wall at Kalleshvara temple at Bagali File:View of Kalleshvara temple (987 AD) at Bagali.JPG, A view from a distance of the Kalleshvara temple at Bagali File:Hero stone (virgal) with Kannada inscription in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali.JPG, Hero stone with late 10th - 11th century old Kannada inscription depicts a battle with cattle thieves in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali File:Entrance to closed mantapa from open mantapa in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali.JPG, Ornate eastern doorway to the closed hall (''mahaamantapa'') from the open hall (''sabhamantapa'') File:Close up of lintel over mantapa entrance in Kalleshvara Temple at Bagali.jpg, Close up of linel over mantapa entrance of Kalleshvara Temple at Bagali File:Entrance to sanctum in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali.JPG, Ornate eastern doorway entrance to the
vestibule Vestibule or Vestibulum can have the following meanings, each primarily based upon a common origin, from early 17th century French, derived from Latin ''vestibulum, -i n.'' "entrance court". Anatomy In general, vestibule is a small space or cavity ...
and sanctum in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali File:Old Kannada inscription (10th-11th century) in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali.JPG, An
Old Kannada Old Kannada or Halegannada ( kn, ಹಳೆಗನ್ನಡ, Haḷegannaḍa) is the Kannada language which transformed from ''Purvada halegannada'' or ''Pre-old Kannada'' during the reign of the Kadambas of Banavasi (ancient royal dynasty of Kar ...
inscription from the late 10th - 11th century A.D. in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali File:Open mantapa (hall) in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali 1.JPG, A view of the open hall looking into the eastern doorway to the close hall File:Ornate door jamb in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali.JPG, Ornate doorjamb in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali File:Pillar base relief in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali.JPG, Pillar pedestal relief in the open hall in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali File:Pillar pedestal relief in the open hall in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali 2.JPG, Pillar pedestal relief in the open hall in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali File:Pillar pedestal relief in the open hall in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali 1.JPG, Pillar pedestal relief in the open hall in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali File:Ornate entrance to closed mantapa in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali.JPG, Ornate entrance to the closed hall from the south File:Shrine wall erotic sculptures in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali 2.JPG, Shrine wall erotic carvings from the Rashtrakuta period in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali File:Shrine wall erotic sculptures in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali 1.JPG, Shrine wall erotic carvings from the Rashtrakuta period in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali File:Shrine wall erotic sculptures in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali 3.JPG, Shrine wall erotic carvings from the Rashtrakuta period in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali File:Shrine wall erotic sculptures in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali 4.JPG, Shrine wall erotic carvings from the Rashtrakuta period in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali


References

* *Adam Hardy, Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation : the Karṇāṭa Drāviḍa Tradition, 7th to 13th Centuries, Abhinav, 1995, New Delhi, . * {{Historical places of Chalukyas Western Chalukya Empire Chalukya dynasty Hindu temples in Davanagere district