Shiva Temple, Narayanapur, Karnataka

Shiva Temple, Narayanapur, Karnataka

Shiva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Narayanpur Village near Basavakalyan City in Basavakalyan Taluk in Bidar District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Temple was built in 12^thcentury CE by Western Chalukyas. The village was called as Tribhuvana Tilaka Shri Rama Narayanapura, Raya Narayanapura and Viranarayanapura during ancient times.

The Temple

The temple is constructed in trikutachala style, consisting of three shrines. This temple is similar to Kalmeshwar temple of Jalasangvi in architectural style. The temple consists sanctum, vestibule, maha mandapa and an entrance porch. Two broken makara torana is kept on either side at the entrance of the temple. The ceiling of the maha mandapa contains intricate floral designs. The maha mandapa is supported by 8 pillars. A new concrete roof had been built to avoid seepage into the temple.

The sanctum doorway is intricately carved. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity in the form of Shiva Linga. The exterior walls of the temple is decorated with beautiful sculptures of Salabhanjika. A new concrete roof had been built to avoid seepage into the temple. There is a Kannada inscription slab, hero stone and various sculptures at the entrance of the temple.

There are lot of detached sculptures present in the temple premises. Some of the noted sculptures are an elephant uprooting a tree, Salabhanjikas, warrior, four armed Vinayaga with his mount Mushika and various god & goddesses of Hindu pantheon. Some of the sculptures were studded to the newly built wall. There is a modern Navagraha shrine in the temple premises. There is a well situated near the temple. A dilapidated ancient temple can be seen next to this well.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Basavakalyan, 4 Kms from Basavakalyan Bus Stand, 21 Kms from Mudbi, 27 Kms from Humnabad Railway Station, 70 Kms from Bidar, 75 Kms from Gulbarga and 202 Kms from Hyderabad Airport. The Temple is situated on Basavakalyan to Mudbi route.

Location