Mahanaleshvara Temple, Menal – The Temple Complex

Mahanaleshvara Temple, Menal – The Temple Complex

The Menal Temple complex consists of a group of Shiva temple on both sides of the waterfall. The main structural group, on the left side of the gorge, is credited to the Chahamana King Someshvar while the single temple with a detached monastery across waterfall is credited to the queen Suhavadevi. The entrance to the main group is via a two storied gateway carved with images of Ganesha and Bhairava.

The main temple consists of sanctum, antrala with sukhanasi and ranga mandapa with samvarana roof. The sanctum is built in the Bhumija style of architecture with stellate pancharatha ground plan. The superstructure has strings of angasikharas, surmounted by a double amalaka. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Mahanaleshvara in the form of Shiva Linga.

Nandi, housed in a four pillared mandapa can be seen in front of the main temple, facing the sanctum. The exterior walls of the temple are decorated with deities from Hindu pantheon, carvings of guardian deities, animals and social life. There are two shrines dedicated respectively to Ganesha and Gauri to the north west of the main temple.

Each shrine consists of a pancharatha sanctum and an antarala, preceded by a pair of ornate pillars. Lakulisa, Nataraja and Ardhanarisvara can be seen in the bhadra niches of the shrines. Only a portion of the sikhara has survived on one of these shrines. The main temple is surrounded by several smaller shrines. Most of these shrines are in ruins now.

There are two arches built over a raised platform can be seen near to the main temple. The temple with a detached monastery built by the queen can be seen across the waterfall. The temple is identical to the main temple. The Saiva Matha was constructed in the form of hypostyle mandapa. It is decorated with ghatapallava pillars.

There is an inscription dated to the reign of the Chahamana king Prithviraja II in 1169 CE. It records that the matha was built by an ascetic Bhavabrahma. The gate behind the smaller shrines will lead you out of the temple complex to a breathtaking view of a huge waterfall plunging into a gorge.