Saumyakeshava Temple, Nagamangala, Karnataka

Saumyakeshava Temple, Nagamangala, Karnataka

Saumyakeshava Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located in Nagamangala Town in Mandya District in Karnataka, India. Presiding Deity is called as Saumya Kesava and Mother is called as Saumyanayaki. The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

During Mahabharata, it is believed that Lord Krishna wanted to get rid of Nagasthra of Karna as it would kill Arjuna if it was launched. Hence, Lord Krishna put all the Nagas of this world in his Shanka. When Karna tried to use Nagasthra, it never got launched as Lord Krishna already prevented by putting all Nagas in his Shanka. Lord Krishna of this Temple appears with the Shank in right hand. This shank controls all the Nagas of this world by its power.

History

Nagamangala was earlier called as Phani Pura or Paniparaha Kshetra (city of snakes) which later got changed to Nagamangala. The place was also known as Anantha Kshetra. Nagamangala came into prominence during the rule of Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana when it became an important center of Vaishnava faith and received patronage from one of his queens, Bommaladevi. She renovated, repaired and bestowed grants to the Sankara Narayana temple at the town. During the rule of Veera Ballala II, Nagamangala prospered as an Agrahara (place of Hindu religious studies) and had the honorific Vira Ballala Chaturvedi Bhattaratnakara.

There is a 12^th century inscription recording the grants given to the temple by Hoysala king Ballala II. As per local folklore, the town and the temples were built by a prince named Jaga Deva Raya, belonging to the family of the Mysore rulers. The above folklore is not true in historicity. The epigraphical evidences records the grant given to the temple by the Ganga king Marasimha II, who ruled between 963-975 CE. The Temple was renovated by Gangas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara and post Vijayanagara rulers.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/10/saumyakeshava-temple-nagamangala-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 09.00 am to 12.00 noon and 05.30 pm to 08.00 pm.

Prayers

The temple is well known for Raghu Kethu Parihara Pooja. The place is also Parihara sthalam for Naga Sarpa Dosha. Devotees worship here to get relief from illness & mental health, to get relief from marriage obstacles and for child boon.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Nagamangala Bus Stop, 18 Kms from B.G. Nagar Railway Station, 28 Kms from Melukote, 35 Kms from Shravanbelagola, 43 Kms from Mandya, 68 Kms from Mysuru, 76 Kms from Mysuru Airport, 121 Kms from Bengaluru and 140 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. Nagamangala is situated on the Srirangapatna to Sira Route.

Location | Photos

Saumyakeshava Temple, Nagamangala – The Temple

Saumyakeshava Temple, Nagamangala – The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east with seven tiered Rajagopuram. The Temple is enclosed by compound walls on all sides. The temple exhibits the nagara features (northern Indian influence) seen in a few other Hoysala temples such as in the Sadasiva Temple, Nuggehalli. It stands on a raised platform called jagati and is constructed with Soap stone material. The temple with its various parts is standing on a raised platform.

The platform is of irregular shape due to various additions during different periods. The Shrine is stellar in plan, however with flattened on its west, south and north sides. The temple is three shrined (Trikuta Chala), has a garbhagriha (sanctum), and a vestibule (antarala) that connects the sanctum to the a closed mandapa (inner hall, navaranga) which opens into a large pillared gathering hall (Maha Mandapa).

The closed hall has two lateral shrines, one in the north and the other in the south.  The northern shrine houses an idol of Lakshmi Narasimha sitting on a five-headed snake and the Southern shrine houses an idol of Venugopala along with Rukmini and Satyabhama. The roof of the closed mantapa is supported by lathe turned pillars, a standard feature in Hoysala constructions. 

These pillars divide the ceiling into bays (four central pillars create 9 bays in the closed hall) that are exceptionally well treated. The large hall opens onto the platform to the East meant for circumbulating the shrine. The outer wall of the shrine and the large hall are single pilastered turreted walls. Dvarapalas can be found at the entrance of Antrala. The Sanctum is square in plan.

Presiding Deity is called as Saumya Kesava. He is housed in the sanctum. He is a six feet tall image of Keshava, a form of Lord Vishnu, stands on a garuda (eagle) pedestal. He is in standing posture with his consorts Bhoo Devi and Neela Devi.  He holds shanku (conch) in his right upper hand and chakra (the wheel) in left upper hand, padma (lotus) in his right lower hand and Gadha (his weapon) in his left lower hand. 

Normally  shanku  is seen in left hand  and chakra in right hand but in this temple they are changed. A prabhavali can be seen behind him displays ten incarnations of Vishnu. The tower over the shrine (shikhara) is plain without the typical ornamentation giving the temple as a whole an austere look.  There is a Garuda pillar situated opposite to the entrance of Maha Mandapa.

This tall granite pillar has a square base topped with a tapering octagonal shaft. Garuda on west, Hanuman on north, Tripundara on east and a lion on south are depicted on the sides of the square base. It is about 55 feet high. A pulley system was used to light the lamp atop it. This system is still in use. Mother is called as Saumyanayaki. She is housed in a separate shrine, situated in the prakaram.

There is a raised platform called Bhuvaneswari Mantapa at the centre of Navaranga. The roof of this Mandapa is the main attraction in this temple. A lotus bud (which also looks like a conch) hangs down from the well carved roof with a snake (Adisesha) entwined around it. 108 conch motifs surrounds this sculpture. This is the only place where Adisesha can be seen sitting on top of Mandapa. He is sitting in Mandala Akara on top of Mandapa. He is sitting on a big Shanka.

It appears as if Adisesha is placed on heap of 108 Shanka. It is designed like a mandala and the town Nagamangala gets its name from this unique sculpture. The head of the snake represents Raahu and the tail represents Ketu and those who are affected by these according to their horoscope offer prayers to Saumyakeshava by standing beneath this sculpture. There are many shrines attached to the inner side of the prakara wall.

Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple, Nagamangala, Karnataka

Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple, Nagamangala, Karnataka

Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located in Nagamangala Town in Mandya District in Karnataka, India. The Temple is situated to the west of Saumyakeshava Temple.

History

Nagamangala was earlier called as Phani Pura or Paniparaha Kshetra (city of snakes) which later got changed to Nagamangala. The place was also known as Anantha Kshetra. Nagamangala came into prominence during the rule of Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana when it became an important center of Vaishnava faith and received patronage from one of his queens, Bommaladevi. She renovated, repaired and bestowed grants to the Sankara Narayana temple at the town.

During the rule of Veera Ballala II, Nagamangala prospered as an Agrahara (place of Hindu religious studies) and had the honorific Vira Ballala Chaturvedi Bhattaratnakara. As per local folklore, the town and the temples were built by a prince named Jaga Deva Raya, belonging to the family of the Mysore rulers. The above folklore is not true in historicity.  The epigraphical evidences records Ganga king Marasimha II, who ruled between 963 – 975 CE. The town was under the rule of Western Chalukyas, Gangas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara and post Vijayanagara rulers.

The Temple

The temple consists of a sanctum, antarala, navaranga, maha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The sanctum has a circumbulatory path around it. The sanctum houses an idol of Yoga Narasimha. The idol is very simple in appearance. Idols of Vishwakasena and Naga are present in the Navaranga. There is an opening in the floor in front of the Naga idol. It is believed to be a hole of an ancient Naga.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Nagamangala Bus Stop, 18 Kms from B.G. Nagar Railway Station, 28 Kms from Melukote, 35 Kms from Shravanbelagola, 43 Kms from Mandya, 68 Kms from Mysuru, 76 Kms from Mysuru Airport, 121 Kms from Bengaluru and 140 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. Nagamangala is situated on the Srirangapatna to Sira Route.

Location

Neelkantheshwar Temple, Udaypur, Madhya Pradesh

Neelkantheshwar Temple, Udaypur, Madhya Pradesh

Neelkantheshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Udaypur town in Vidisha District in  Madhya Pradesh State of India. The Temple is also called as Udayesvara Temple. It is one of the earliest example of Bhumija temple architecture of Paramara Dynasty. This Temple is a monument of national importance protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

Building activities on only one day:

It is believed that this temple was built only on a single day of every month (i.e. in the Pushya Nakshatra). The sculptures, stones and other materials were made ready in other days. The building activities would start only at the time the Pushya Nakshatra.

Human figure in stone hanging near the top of the shikhara:

There is an interesting story of a human figure in stone hanging near the top of the shikhara. As per folklore, when the temple building activities was completed except placing the Kalash on top, a craftsman was tasked with placing the Kalash on top. He climbed up the shikara in the night and was astonished to see his work. He spent whole night admiring his work. When the sun rises, he was turned into a stone. Since, then he was hanging in Shikara.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/10/neelkantheshwar-temple-udaypur-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/10/neelkantheshwar-temple-udaypur-temple.html

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 6 Kms from Bareth Railway Station, 16 Kms from Ganj Basoda Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Ganj Basoda Railway Station, 64 Kms from Vidisha, 122 Kms from Bhopal and 128 Kms from Bhopal Airport. Regular bus service is available from Vidisha to Ganj Basoda and subsequently from Ganj Basoda to Udaypur. Nearest Railway Station is Bareth Railway Station, located on Bhopal – Bina line. Few trains from Bhopal stop at Bareth, many others stop at Ganj Basoda, another nearby Railway Station. Nearest airport is at Bhopal. Sihoniya is well connected to Moreno and Ambah by buses.

Location | Photos

Neelkantheshwar Temple, Udaypur – The Temple

Neelkantheshwar Temple, Udaypur – The Temple

This is an east facing Temple. The Temple was built of red sandstone and standing over a raised platform. This temple is Saptayatana (Seven shrine type) with one central large shrine surrounded by six smaller shrines. It is one of the earliest example of Bhumija temple architecture of Paramara Dynasty. The entrance to the temple is originally from east but it is closed now. The entrance is from western side. The temple consists of sanctum, Assembly Hall and three entrance porches. The assembly hall has three entrance porches, one to the front and two to the sides.

Sculptures of Ardhanareeshwara, Andhakantaka, Natesha, Mahakala, and Chamundi can be found in the external walls of assembly hall. There are Ashtadikpalakas (guardian deities of eight directions) can also be found in the external walls. Navadurgas can be found on the lintel of sanctum door and Navagrahas on assembly hall lintel. The Sanctum houses Neelkantheshwar, in the form of Lingam. The original Shiva Linga is covered by a brass Linga.

The brass one is lifted up to reveal the original for worship only during the festival of Mahashivaratri. It is said that the first rays of the Sun in the morning fall directly on the Shiva Linga twice a year around the equinoxes. The Shikhara is made up of miniature shrines of this temple all the way up culminating in the horizontal fluted disc called the Amalaka ending with the Kalash. There are even plans found etched in stone in the courtyard which are said to be the rudimentary drawings that were made prior to building this temple.

There are about 60 inscriptions at the entrance porch at eastern side.  These inscriptions belonged to Paramaras, Tughluqs and various other dynasties who ruled over this region. There are inscriptions talks about the grants from King Udayaditya to this temple. There is an inscription mentions a festival of the god Udayesvara in 1338, the same year as the Tughluq inscription recording the construction of the mosque in the temple precinct.

Neelkantheshwar Temple, Udaypur – History

Neelkantheshwar Temple, Udaypur – History

Udaypur was an important town under Paramara dynasty. King Bhoja (1010-1050 AD) developed this town during his regime. Udayaditya was a brother of Bhoja, the most renowned king of the Paramara dynasty. At the time of Bhoja's death, the Paramara kingdom suffered simultaneous invasions from its Chalukya and Kalachuri neighbors. Bhoja's successor Jayasimha, possibly his son, appears to have ascended the Paramara throne with the support of the Kalyani Chalukya prince Vikramaditya VI; he was probably dethroned by Vikramaditya's rival brother Someshwara II.

After Jayasimha, Udayaditya ascended the Paramara throne. Udaypur became famous and appears to have assumed its present name under the Udayaditya (1070 - 1093 AD). The Temple was built in the second half of the eleventh century and is the only surviving royal temple of the Paramara Kings. This town was annexed to Mughal empire and some monuments of little importance were erected during that regime.

The temple was protected and restored by the then Maharaj of Gwalior State Jiwaji Rao Scindia. The restoration work according to a stone engraving finished in 1929. The work of restoration of the temple was carried under the supervision of M. B. Garde, a renowned archaeologist. The monuments of Udaipur were first studied by M. B. Garde and published in the reports of the archaeological department of Gwalior state. The data in these reports was compiled into a list prepared in 1952.

Nav Toran Temple, Khor, Madhya Pradesh

Nav Toran Temple, Khor, Madhya Pradesh

Nav Toran Temple is an ancient Hindu Temple located in Khor Town in Neemuch District, Madhya Pradesh, India. The Temple is believed to be built in 11^th Century CE. Nav or nou means nine and Toran means pillars; this is where the temple gets its name. This Temple is situated near Vikram Cement campus. This monument has been declared to be of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (24 of 1958).

The Temple

It is a remnant of an 11th-century temple, consists of ten decorative arches arranged in two rows. One row arranged in lengthwise and other row is arranged in width wise. Both rows crossing each other at the centre and supported on a pair of pillars in the hall and porches. The temple is decorated with leaf-shaped borders, heads of makaras and garland bearers.

There is a statue of Varaha at the centre of the temple. There is a sanctum housing Shiva Lingam. It is said that there is a tunnel beneath the temple that goes to the Chittor Fort. Maharana Pratap often used to go through this tunnel to worship the deity of the temple from Chittor.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Jawad Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Jawad Road Railway Station, 19 Kms from Nimbahera, 19 Kms from Nimbahera Bus Stand, 20 Kms from Neemuch Bus Stand, 21 Kms from Neemuch Railway Station, 51 Kms from Chittorgarh, 110 Kms from Udaipur Airport and 385 Kms from Bhopal. The Temple is situated on Neemuch to Nimbahera Route.

Location