Doddabasappa Temple, Dambal, Karnataka

Doddabasappa Temple, Dambal, Karnataka

Doddabasappa Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Dambal Village in Mundargi Taluk in Gadag District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Temple was built in early 12th century CE by Western Chalukyas. The earliest inscription found in the temple is dated to 1184 CE dated to reign of King Somesvara IV of Western Chalukyan Dynasty. It records the gift to the presiding deity Mailabesvara of this temple. The temple was called as Ajjameshvara temple named after the builder Ajjayyanayaka, a royal officer in Western Chalukya Kingdom.

Later, the temple acquired the name Doddabasappa because of its massive Nandi (Doddabasappa means big bull) Nandi placed at the entrance of the temple. Dambal was called as Dharmavolal and Dharmapura in inscriptions. It is said that Lakshmi Devi, Queen of Vikramaditya VI of Western Chalukyas was ruling from Dambal, a provincial capital of Western Chalukyas.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. The temple consists sanctum, vestibule and navaranga. The navaranga is provided with entrance porches on the eastern and southern side. The eastern entrance porch has been converted into Nandi mandapa. The Nandi mandapa houses a massive Nandi. The temple came to be called as Doddabasappa Temple because of this Nandi. The eastern entrance doorway has seven bands of decoration. Gajalakshmi can be seen on the lalatabimba of the lintel.

She is flanked by four elephants instead of usual two elephants. Sculptures of Lord Brahma with his mount Swan and Surya can be seen in the navaranga. The pillars of the Navaranga and Mukhamandapa are profusely decorated with sculptures of gods and goddesses of Hindu pantheon. The interior of the mandapa and vestibule are decorated with floral designs and images of dancers, musicians etc. There is a torana (architrave) before the entrance of the sanctum.

The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga. The vimana is based on a 24-pointed stellate (star-shaped) plan while the hall is based on a 32 pointed stellate (star-shaped). The stellar plan is continued with the shikhara. The shikara over the sanctum is of seven tiers. The upper tiers of the shikara look like cogged wheels with 48 dents. The exterior walls of the temple are decorated with pilasters and turrets at regular intervals.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Dambal Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Mundargi, 21 Kms from Gadag New Bus Stand, 22 Kms from Gadag, 23 Kms from Gadag Junction Railway Station, 36 Kms from Itagi, 80 Kms from Hubli and 84 Kms from Hubli Airport. The Temple is situated on Gadag to Mundargi road. Regular buses are available from Gadag to reach this temple.

Location | Photos