Tripurantaka Temple, Balligavi, Karnataka

Tripurantaka Temple, Balligavi, Karnataka

Tripurantaka Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Balligavi Town in the Shikaripura Taluk of Shivamogga District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The Temple is situated on the north eastern side of the Balligavi Town. The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/06/tripurantaka-temple-balligavi-history.html

The Temple

The Temple has two parallel shrines on the northern and southern side facing towards east. Both the shrines are built over a raised platform. Both the shrines consists of sanctum, antrala and ardha mandapa. The ardha mandapa opens into the common maha mandapa at the east. This maha mandapa has entrances on the eastern and the southern side. The eastern entrance is provided with an entrance porch.

The maha mandapa has a central square podium with massive square based circular lathe-turned pillars. The pillars once had bracket figures on the upper section, now only the supports are remaining. The central ceiling of the mandapa has a depiction of ashta dikpalas. Nandi can be found in the maha mandapa. The southern shrine is profusely carved and exhibits exemplary workmanship.

The temple is noted for its unique decorative perforated stone windows. The two sides of the doorway to the shrine have a window panels, each filled entirely by three pairs of naga figures (snake). The long intertwined and knotted bodies of these Nagas create a virtual mesh to fill up the panels. The doorway is guarded by dvarapalas on either sides.

There is a decorative architrave above the entrance to the shrine with carvings of Lord Shiva depicted as Gaja Samhara Moorthy at the centre flanked by Lord Brahma, Karthik & Ganesha on the right side and Lord Vishnu, Garuda & other celestial beings on the left side. The plinth of the temple is decorated with friezes at the base.

These friezes contain various depictions of daily life activities, erotic sculptures and Panchatantra stories. The depiction of erotic themes is uncommon of Chalukya architectural style. Sculpture of Hoysala emblem (Sala slaying a lion) can be seen in the temple. There is also an inscription below this sculpture describing the hunting expedition of the king.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 750 metres from Balligavi Bus Stop. Balligavi is located at about 2.5 Kms from Shiralakoppa Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Shiralakoppa, 23 Kms from Shikaripura, 23 Kms from Shikaripura Bus Stand, 24 Kms from Anavatti, 42 Kms from Sagar Railway Station, 50 Kms from Hangal, 60 Kms from Ranebennur, 61 Kms from Sirsi, 74 Kms from Shivamogga, 127 Kms from Hubli Airport and 353 Kms from Bengaluru. Balligavi is located at about 3 Kms from Shiralakoppa on Shikaripura to Hangal route.

Location | Photos