Gangadaresvara Temple, Turuvekere, Karnataka

Gangadaresvara Temple, Turuvekere, Karnataka

Gangadaresvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Turuvekere Town in the Turuvekere Taluk of Tumkur district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India. Turuvekere is a temple town housing Hoysala era temples and Vijayanagara temples.

History

Turuvekere was an Agraharam town (a place of learning) in the 13^th century CE. This Temple was built by Maha Dandanayaka Somanna, a general of the Hoysala King Narasimha III, during 13^th century CE.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with a pillared mahadvara. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, closed maha mandapam, open ardha mandapam and open mukha mandapam. The mukha mandapa is supported by 12 pillars. Nandi can be found in the mukha mandapa facing the sanctum. Nandi is about seven feet tall.

It is decorated with bells and belts carved on its body. The ardha mandapa can be accessed through flight of steps from the northern and southern side. The ardha mandapa is supported by four pillars and four pilasters. The Maha Mandapa has an entrance porch on the southern side. The entrance porch is supported by two pillars and two pilasters.

There is a unique bell made out of rock attached to the roof the entrance porch. It is about 2 feet in diameter. The ringing sound can be heard when it is hit by a metal or stone. Sculpture of Kannappa Nayanar (Bedara Kannappa) offering his eyes to Lord Shiva can be seen in the pillar below the bell.

Sculptures of soldiers riding lions and Ganesha can be seen in the pillars of the entrance porch. The sanctum houses the presiding deity, Gangadaresvara, in the form of Linga. The Linga is unique in its representation as it has carving of Ganga sitting on top of its head and fountains of water being flown in the form of prabhavali can be seen.

It is the only temple which is having such depiction of Ganga and Lord Shiva being together. Utsava idol is having an extra eye on the right foot which is a unique feature nowhere to be seen. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Parvathy in the temple premises. Idols of Karya Siddhi Ganapathi and Hanuman can be seen in the temple premises.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Turuvekere Bus Stand. Turuvekere is located at about 15 Kms from Aralaguppe Railway Station, 28 Kms from Tiptur, 28 Kms from Tiptur Railway Station, 32 Kms from Yadiyur, 54 Kms from Huliyar, 72 Kms from Tumkur, 124 Kms from Bengaluru and 146 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. Turuvekere is situated on Huliyar to Yadiyur route.

Location