Nageshvara Temple, Begur – The Temple

Nageshvara Temple, Begur – The Temple

This Temple complex is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. There are three more gopurams on the western, northern and southern side. The temple complex is enclosed within a 10 feet high compound wall. The temple complex consists of five major shrines dedicated to Nageswara, Kali Kamateshwara, Nagareshwara, Choleshwara and Karneshwara. A 30 feet tall granite pillar called Vrishabha Stambha, wooden flag post and Bali Peetha can be seen immediately after the Rajagopuram.

The carvings of Ganesha, Linga, Vrishabha and Brahma Rakshasa are found at the base of the Vrishabha Stambha. There is a stone carving of Kulothunga Chola & his wife along with an inscription on a slab can be seen behind the Vrishabha Sthamba.  There is a well inside the temple premises with carved pillars. The water from this well is used for the temple rituals. Shami Vriksham is Vilwa Tree. There is a Vanni tree in the premises, which is said to be more than 100 years old.

Nageshvara Shrine:

This shrine is considered as the main and the largest shrine in the temple complex. This shrine is facing towards east. This shrine consists of sanctum, vestibule, maha mandapa and agra mandapa. The agra mandapa is an open hall and can be accessed through balustraded steps in the south west and north west corners. The agra mandapa is supported by six unequally spaced pillars.

The agra mandapa houses an image of Nandi placed on a lotus platform in the compartment formed between four pillars. The pillars are simple in design with a square base, plain lower part and fluted octagonal in the centre. The ceiling of the agra mandapa has the grid sculptures with a seated image of Shiva and Parvati in the centre.

The ceiling in the maha mandapa has a panel with four armed Uma Maheshwara at the centre flanked by ashta dikpalas. Utsava idols can be seen in agra mandapa. Idols of Ganesha, Bhairava, Vishnu, Surya, Chandra, Sapta Matrikas, Kasi Viswanathar, Subramanya, Chamundeshwari can be seen in the maha mandapa.

The door jamb is profusely carved. It has the typical carvings of creepers with ganas in loops with lotuses at the terminations. Gajalakshmi can be seen at the centre of the lintel. The sanctum is square in plan. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Nageshwara, in the form of Linga. The Linga is about 3.5 feet tall.

Parvati Shrine:

There is a separate shrine for Goddess Parvati, the consort of Nageshwara. The sanctum enshrines a five-foot-tall image of Parvati. She is also known as Dakshina Kali. Devotees pray to her to get relief from blood related diseases. There is a Ganesha Idol at the entrance of the sanctum. This idol is considered as one of the oldest idols of Ganesha in South India. He is depicted with two arms. This depiction represents Pranava or Om, the sacred syllable from which Ganesha was created. His trunk is turned towards right. Navagraha Shrine is situated near the Parvati shrine.

Nagareshwara Shrine:

This shrine is facing towards east. The shrine consists of sanctum, ardha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is a detached hall and supported by eight pillars. A big Nandi is housed in this mandapa facing towards sanctum. Hence, it can be called as Nandi mandapa. The sanctum is square in plan. The base of the sanctum entrance is flanked by images of Ganga & Yamuna figures with their attendant. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Nagareshwara, in the form of Linga.

The Linga is about 4 feet tall and considered to be the largest of all Lingas in this temple. It is unique to find a west facing shrine for Surya Narayana, facing towards the sanctum. It is probably placed in this arrangement to ensure that the first rays of the rising sun fall on the main Linga. This shrine is also known as Bhaskara Kshetra (Sun Temple). Shrines of Ramalinga, Chamundeshwari, Bhairava and Vinayaga can be found in the ardha mandapa.

Kali Kamateshwara Shrine:

The shrine enshrines an image of Goddess Kali. She resembles Kollur Mookambika. Her idol is about 3.5 feet tall. There is an Eka Mukha Shiva Linga at her feet. He is called as Kamateshwara. Nandi can be found facing the sanctum.

Choleshwara Shrine:

This shrine is facing towards east. Nandi can be found facing towards the sanctum. It is said that the temple was built by Cholas. Hence, the Lord came to be called as Choleshwara. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Choleshwara, in the form of Linga. Choleshwara Linga is found below the carving of Uma Maheshwara flanked by Ashta Dikpalas. The Linga is about 4 feet tall. There is no other idol in this shrine except the Nandi and Linga.

Karneshwara Shrine:

This shrine is the smallest one among the five shrines. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Karneshwara, in the form of Linga. The Linga is about 2.5 feet tall and considered as the smallest of all the Lingas in the temple complex. A Nandi can be found facing the sanctum.

Hero Stones:

The temple complex has around eight hero stones. Three hero stones are in broken condition and one hero stone is safely erected on a pedestal. Three hero stones are found near the Vrishabha Sthamba. Other hero stones are found scattered around the temple complex.