Arakeshvara Temple, Hole Alur – The Temple

Arakeshvara Temple, Hole Alur – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with an entrance gate. The temple is enclosed within the compound wall. Nandi, housed in a four pillared mandapa, can be seen facing the sanctum. These pillars were in round shape with bas reliefs depicting the battle scenes, various deities, mythical characters, demi gods and scenes from Hindu epics. The base on which the temple is raised (called adhisthana) is a simple set of moldings. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapa and Navaranga.

The entrance of the Sanctum Sanctorum is decorated with dancing celestial maiden (apsaras) within volutes of scrolls (creeper leaf) which extend over the door jamb and lintel. There are two tall rectangular vertical slabs reaching up to the lintel on either side of the entrance of Sanctum Sanctorum. These Slabs are divided into four panels with relief friezes depicting male drummers (called Dola Nritya).

The top panel has rustic male dancers who appear to dance to a musicians ensemble who play the drum, violin, rudra veena, flute and the kanjira. The pillars of Navaranga also has the same reliefs as found in the pillars of Nandi Mandapa. These pillars are also round in shape. The ceiling of the Navaranga has the panel of Ashtadikpalakas (the guardians of eight directions) with their respective vahanas with Nataraja at its center.

Idols of Saptamatrikas can be seen in the Navaranga. Sculptures of Mahishasuramardhini, Yoga Dakshinamurthy, Saptamatrikas and few other sculptures dating back to the 10^th Century Ganga period can be found in the Navaranga. Dvarapalas can be seen guarding the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Arakeshvara and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.  

There is no Vimana over the sanctum. Sculptures of Mahishasura Mardini, Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, Parvathy, Vinayagas, Hero Stones, Sati Stones, Ravaleeswara, Dakshinamurthy, Naga Idols, headless idol, Hayagriva, architectural fragments and inscriptional slab can be found in the outer prakaram. These sculptures might have brought from the surrounding area.