Hemavathi Group of Temples – The Temple Complex

Hemavathi Group of Temples – The Temple Complex

This temple complex consists of Siddheswara Temple, Doddeswara Temple, Mallesvara Temple and Virupaksha The temple complex is spread over an area of around 15 acres. There are traces of a fort on the south western side of the village made in mud.

Siddhesvara Temple:

This temple is facing towards west. There is a garden area before this temple. The garden area houses several Lingas, Nandis, inscriptional pillars and architectural fragments. Dhwaja Sthambam can be found after the garden area facing the sanctum. It is located in front of the entrance. Agni Kunda (Homa Kunda) can be found next to the Dhwaja Sthambam on the left side.

A four pillared Asthana Mandapa can be seen on the left side of Agni Kunda. There is a four pillared Mandapa immediately after the entrance. It might have housed Nandi in the past, but it is empty now. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antrala, Ardha Mandapa, Maha Mandapa and Mukha Mandapa. The Sanctum houses an idol of Lord Shiva instead of traditional Linga.

The idol is about five feet tall. He is depicted as sitting in the Lalitasana posture with a Damaruka in one hand, a kapala (skull) in another hand, a trishula in the third and fourth hand shows abhaya mudra. He is wearing a Yagnopavita (sacred thread) made of skulls. The temple is built in such way that the sun rays touches the face of the Lord Shiva during sunset. There is an enclosed circumbulatory pathway running around the temple. There is a shrine for Kala Bhairava adjacent to the sanctum.

It houses an idol of Kala Bhairava flanked by a male & female figurine standing on intertwined snakes. Locals believe that by offering a Jaggery to this shrine will protect them from scorpion attacks. This temple also had an idol of Goddess Kali but currently the idol is housed in the Madras museum. The pillars in this temple contains carvings of celestial beings, men & women in various postures, Yalis, birds and animals.

Doddeswara Temple:

This temple is facing towards east. A Nandi made of black basalt granite 8 feet in length and 4 feet in height, housed in a six pillared mandapa on a raised platform, can be found facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of pillared Maha Mandapa and Sanctum. The pillars have carvings of the scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Presiding Deity is called as Doddeswara. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Linga. The Linga is about 6 feet tall. The walls of the temple are adorned with several artistic sculptures and images. The stone sculptures here produce a metallic sound upon being tapped. There is stepped well situated opposite to this temple. Several Naga Idols and Hero Stones can be found near this temple.

Mallesvara Temple:

Mallesvara Swamy Temple is situated opposite to Doddeswara Temple. Nandi can be found in a closed Mandapa, facing the sanctum. This temple consists of Mukha Mandapa, Maha Mandapa, Antrala and Sanctum. The Sanctum houses a Linga on square yonipitha. A Bana Linga can be seen on the left side of the temple.

Virupaksha Temple:

Virupaksha Temple is situated little away from the main temple. A Nandi made of black basalt granite, housed in a four pillared mandapa on a raised platform, can be found facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum is built on a raised platform.

The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of pillared Mukha Mandapa and Sanctum. The open Mukha Mandapa has intricately carved door at the entrance. The Sanctum houses a Shiva Linga. A Shiva Linga housed on broken square Avudaiyar can be found on the right side of the temple.

Archeological Museum:

There is a Museum set up by Archeological Department within the temple premises. The Museum has  six galleries housing sculptures, idols, architectural fragments and ancient carvings. The impressive collections in the museum are Saptamatrikas, half broken Chamundeshwari idol, remnants from the Vedagallu temple with an ornate arch, Vinayaka, Jain Tirthankaras, Lord Vishnu idols in five different avatars and Venkateswara.