Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi – The Temple

Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi – The Temple

The temple is facing towards east and a fine example of Hoysala architecture. Unlike the other ornate Hoysala temples, this temple is without raised platform or jagati. The Mahadwara (main gate way) looks like a large inverted cone like structure on a high ground with a square hall and a spacious porch. Both entrances of this structure are flanked by a pair of beautifully carved elephants. Dhwaja Sthambam can be seen immediately after the Maha Dwara.

The temple is constructed in trikutachala style, consisting of three shrines, one each on north, south and west. All the shrines have images of Lord Vishnu namely Veeranarayana, Venugopala and Yoga Narasimha. The temple consists of Sanctum, Sukanasi, Navaranga and Mukha Mandapa. The plan of the temple is unique in that two of the shrines face each other and are located on either side of a wide and spacious Navaranga (hall) containing thirty-seven bays. 

The temple complex has two closed mandapas, one with thirteen bays and another with nine bays, at the end of which is a central shrine.  The temple complex has totally 59 bays. Most of the pillars are lathe-turned bell-shaped, only few of them are ornamented. The Mukha Mandapa has conventional moulding and is provided with kakshasana. The eave is supported by the lathe turned pillars of the Hoysala type placed over the jagati.

The Mukha Mandapa has seating arrangements all across its border. It is ornamented with rosettes and plasters. All the ceiling panels of the temple, except those of the veranda, are well carved. Some of these ceilings are flat while a majority of them are dome-like containing intricate geometrical patterns of various designs. The flat ceilings have the images of Krishna playing on the flute, Kalinga Mardana and Kamsa Vadha in different postures.

The central shrine (western shrine) houses an 8 feet (2.4 m) tall image of Veera Narayana. He is four armed, stands in padmasana and placed on the Garuda pedestal. The image is elegantly carved and elaborately ornamented. The idol is said to be one of the best specimens of Hoysala art. It is said that on a particular day in March every year, sun light directly enters the sanctum of Veera Narayana. The inner walls of this shrine are plain but its roof is well decorated.

The southern shrine houses an 8 feet (2.4 m) tall image of Venugopala. He sits on a garuda pedestal. He is standing in a Tribhangi position, where his right leg is in front of left leg, leaning against a tree, is blissfully playing his flute. He is supporting himself using his thumb to bear the weight, his abdomen is slightly bent to balance himself. He is surrounded by various figures like Shravan Kumaras with folded hands, Gopikas, a cow feeding her calf and Gopalas. He is flanked by his consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama standing on either side.

The northern shrine houses a 7 feet (2.1 m) tall image of Yoga Narasimha. He is sitting in a yoga posture holding the Shanka and Chakra. He is flanked by his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi standing on either side. The Prabhavati is carved with the ten avatars of Vishnu. All the images in the sanctum of Narasimha, Venugopala and Viranarayana excel each other in workmanship.

The central shrine is the oldest one in the temple complex. The other shrines are of later construction and have different plans. One shrine is square in shape while the other is star shaped (stellate). Each of the three shrines are crowned with shikaras (superstructure (towers) on top of the shrine).

The tower of the shrine has an apex called the kalasha (decorative water-pot like structure) below which are three tiers of decorated miniature roofs. The superstructure over each of three shrines is connected to a low protrusion tower called Sukanasi (tower over the vestibule, called nose of the main tower). The Sukanasi consist of two tiers of decorated miniature roofs.

The towers have turrets, ornamented kirtimukhas and varied sculptures. The eaves runs around the sanctum where the superstructure meets the wall of the shrine. Miniature decorative towers can be seen below this eave. Second eves can be seen below this decorative towers. Friezes of Hindu deities and their attendants can be seen below the second eaves. A set of five moldings can be seen below the frieze which forms the base of the wall.