Kalleshvara Temple, Aralaguppe – The Temple

Kalleshvara Temple, Aralaguppe – The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. Nandi housed in a Nandi Mandapa can be found immediately after the entrance, facing the sanctum. Nandi is about 6 feet in length and 4feet in height. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antrala and Navaranga (Maha Mandapa). The base of the temple is made of granites and the superstructure over the sanctum (Shikara) and Antrala (Sukanasi) are of brick construction.

The central ceiling of navaranga is divided into nine panels, one central and eight panels at its periphery. The central panel depicts four-armed Lord Shiva in a dancing posture (Nataraja) while the eight subsidiary panels are depicted with ashta dikpalas (guardians of eight directions) with their respective consorts riding together over the mounts.

Lord Nataraja is depicted with ornaments and accompanied by three Bhuta Ganas playing a three headed percussion instrument. Four flying Vidyadharas can be seen at the cardinal point of the central panel. These Vidyadharas are suspended from the panel and holding a garland each. These ashta dikpalas are Indra, Agni, Yama, Nriti, Vayu, Varun, Kubera and Ishana.

Airavata, the mount of Lord Indra, is depicted as a four tusked elephant roaming in the clouds. Ishana is shown with his musician retinue. Nriti is shown riding an ass rather than a nara (man) and Kubera is shown riding a ram rather than horse. This is an unusual depiction nowhere to be seen. This carving is one of the finest specimen of sculptural art in Karnataka.

The Sanctum is square on plan. The Sanctum houses the presiding deity, Kalleshvara, in the form of Linga. The doorjamb and the lintel above the sanctum door are intricately carved. The base of the doorjamb is carved with dvarapalas in seated posture. The sides of the doorjamb are carved with scrolls of decorative creepers, Yaksha and Yakshis. Gajalakshmi can be seen on the lalatabimba of the sanctum entrance door.

The Shikara over the sanctum is of stepped pyramidal style. The northern and eastern lateral shrines contain idols of Keshava and Surya, while the southern shrine contains the Uma Maheswara mounted over a large stele with a lotus pedestal and a Prabhavali with a couple of flying Vidyadharas. Shrines of Vinayaga and Subramanya can be seen in the temple premises. Large number of Hero Stones and a deserted Mandapa can be seen in the temple premises.