Yoga Madhava Temple, Settikere, Karnataka

Yoga Madhava Temple, Settikere, Karnataka

Yoga Madhava Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Settikere Village in the Chikkanayakanahalli Taluk of Tumkur District in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is protected by the Karnataka state division of Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple was built in 1261 CE by Gopala Dandanayaka, a military general under Hoysala King Narasimha III.

The Temple

The temple is facing towards east. The temple stands on a raised platform (jagati), a feature common to many Hoysala temples. The platform provides ample space for the devotess to circumbulate the temple. The temple is constructed in trikutachala style, consisting of three shrines, one each on north, south and west. The main shrine (western shrine) enshrines an image of Yoga Madhava, an unusual form of Lord Vishnu.

The image is about nine feet. He is shown seated in padmasana posture on a pedestal. The main shrine connects to the navaranga via vestibule while the other two shrines connects directly to the navaranga. The ceiling of the navaranga is supported by four lathe turned pillars which divide the ceiling into nine decorated bays. The navaranga has no windows. The navaranga is preceded by an open mukha mandapa.

The mukha mandapa is supported by lathe turned half pillars and parapets on either side. The tower over the central shrine and the vestibule are intact and highly decorative. The kalasa on top of the tower is replaced with metallic pinnacle at later stage. The vestibule has a superstructure called sukhanasi. It looks like a shorter extension of the main tower. The Hoysala crest (emblem of the Sala stabbing a lion) over the sukhanasi is missing.

The lateral shrines are without towers and sukanasis. The inner walls of the shrine are square and plain whereas the outer walls are semi-stellate (semi-star shaped) with numerous recesses and projections that are used for decorative relief consisting of aedicula and pilasters. The outer wall of the vestibule is also decorative but is inconspicuous because it appears like a short continuation of the shrine outer wall.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 9 Kms from Chikkanayakanahalli Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Chikkanayakanahalli, 20 Kms from Tiptur, 23 Kms from Banasandra Railway Station, 30 Kms from Huliyar, 35 Kms from Turuvekere, 40 Kms from Arasikere, 143 Kms from Bengaluru and 158 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. The temple is situated at about 10 Kms from Chikkanayakanahalli on Turuvekere to Huliyar route.

Location