Ananda Padmanaba Temple, Karkala, Karnataka

Ananda Padmanaba Temple, Karkala, Karnataka

Ananda Padmanaba Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Karkala Town in Karkala Taluk in Udupi District in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple was constructed in 1567 CE by Santara dynasty. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

As per legend, this temple was originally a Jain Basadi in 15^th century CE. Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Narasimha Bharathi Swamiji visited Karkala during 15^th century CE and the reigning Jain King of Santara dynasty gave him a rousing welcome. But Jagadguru informed the king that he would stay only if there is a temple for Lord Vishnu. The king agreed to his demand, but he was not having an idol of Lord Vishnu. The Jagadguru informed the king that there was an idol of Ananda Padmanaba Swamy immersed in a rivulet in Nellikara.

The king ordered his soldiers to find the idol and bring it back to him. The soldiers successfully found the idol and brought it back to the king. The king was surprised and gave this Jain basadi to the Jagadguru Sri Narasimha Bharathi Swamiji. The Jagadguru installed the idol of Ananda Padmanaba Swamy in the sanctum of the Jain Basadi. Thus, converting the existing Jain Basadi into functioning Hindu Temple.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards north with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Ananda Sayana Vishnu. Balipeedam, Dwaja Sthambam and Garuda can be seen facing towards the sanctum in the outer courtyard. The temple consists of sanctum of sama-chaturasa type and thirtha mandapa. The sukanasi is absent between the sanctum and the thirtha mandapa. The thirtha mandapa is supported by four pillars.

The super structure over the sanctum and the thirtha mandapa is of two tiers. The roof over the sanctum is covered with copper sheets and the raised neck portion of the upper tier is made up of timber and has reliefs depicting Hindu deities. Horizontal stone slabs are provided over the roof of the tirtha mandapa and around the sanctum. The sanctum enshrines a black stone image of Ananda Sayana Vishnu / Ananda Padmanaba.

He is depicted in reclining posture on the coils of Adisesha. The image is surrounded by Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha in the niches of the sanctum. Brahma is seen rising from the navel of Vishnu sitting on the lotus. Sridevi and Bhoodevi can be near his feet. The main shrine is enclosed with a pillared cloister provided with entrance from the north. A modern shrine abuts the southern wall.

Festivals

Laksha Deepotsava and Ananthapadmanaba Vrata are the annual festivals celebrated here for five days. Rathasaptami is the other festival celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Karkala Bus Stand, 9 Kms from Bajagoly, 28 Kms from Nandikur Railway Station, 35 Kms from Udupi Railway Station, 38 Kms from Udupi, 43 Kms from Mangaluru Airport, 52 Kms from Mangaluru and 61 Kms from Sringeri. The temple is situated on Udupi to Sringeri route via Bajagoly.

Location

Ramesvara Temple, Balambeed, Karnataka

Ramesvara Temple, Balambeed, Karnataka

Ramesvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Balambeed Village in Hangal Taluk in Haveri District in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is situated on the banks of Varadha river. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple was built in 1118 CE by Bamagavunda, subordinate of Mahamandalesvara Tailahadeva of the Kadamba family of Banavasi-12000 and Panumgal-500, during the reign of Western Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI. The presiding deity was called as Gramesvara and the village was called as Ballareya Bidu in the inscriptions found in this temple. An Inscription dating back to 1118 CE during the reign of Western Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI records a gift of land and garden made to the temple by Bamagavunda.

It also records the allocation of funds collected through taxes to the temple. The hero stone found in this temple is dated to the 2^nd regnal year of Tailaha, Kadamba chief, who was ruling from Naraymangal. It records a grant of land at Kakere  made by Bamagavunda, in honour of his father who died in a raid made by Tailaha on Ballabidu during his invasion on Huritiginadu, the fort held by certain Sovarasa.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards south. It is very rare to see a south facing temple. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and a mandapa. The mandapa is supported by four central pillars. Nandi can be found in the centre of these four pillars in the mandapa facing towards the sanctum. The mandapa had three entrances on eastern, western and northern side. The walls of the mandapa had been lost completely.

The doorframes of the entrances can be found on their respective sides. The antarala had perforated windows on either side of the doorway, a characteristic feature of the Chalukyan architecture. But one side window is replaced with a plain one. The lintel of the antrala doorway has reliefs of Mahesvara at the centre flanked by Brahma and Vishnu on its sides.

The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Ramesvara in the form of Shiva Linga. The superstructure over the vimana, antrala and mandapa had been lost completely. The external walls have niches on all three sides, but all are empty. The external wall is devoid of any decoration except the niches and carvings of dravidian and nagara style vimanas. There are two hero stones on the left and the ride sides of the temple.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 13 Kms from Hangal, 13 Kms from Hangal Bus Stand, 22 Kms from Haveri, 23 Kms from Haveri Railway Station, 23 Kms from Bankapura, 51 Kms from Sirsi, 55 Kms from Ranebennur, 82 Kms from Hubballi and 91 Kms from Hubballi Airport. The temple is situated on Haveri to Hangal route.

Location

Kalmesvara Temple, Balambeed, Karnataka

Kalmesvara Temple, Balambeed, Karnataka

Kalmesvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Balambeed Village in Hangal Taluk in Haveri District in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is situated on the banks of Varadha river. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple was built in 1123 CE by Bamagavunda, subordinate of Mahamandalesvara Tailahadeva of the Kadamba family of Banavasi-12000 and Panumgal-500, during the reign of Western Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI. There was a Kalamukha matha (monastery) attached to the temple during the Chalukyan period in 12^th century CE. The temple was mentioned as Boladera Gudi / Baladevara Gudi, the presiding deity was called as Brahmesvara and the village was called as Ballareya Bidu in the inscriptions found in this temple.

The present name Kalmesvara is of recent origin. Inscriptions dating back to the reigns of Western Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI and Kalachuri king Bijjala II can be found in this temple. These inscriptions records the construction of this temple, gift of land meant for offerings and worship to the deity, allocation of taxes collected for the maintenance of the temple, gifts made to the scholars of the matha and conquests of Kalchuri King Bijjala.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, and navaranga. The navaranga has five niches. Among the five, two niches enshrines the images of Saptamatrikas, one enshrines image of Ganesha and another has image of Kartikeya. The final one is empty. The navaranga is supported by four lathe turned and highly polished pillars. A Nandi can be found in the navaranga facing towards the sanctum. The antarala has perforated windows, a characteristic feature of the Chalukyan architecture.

The lintel of the antrala doorway has reliefs of Mahesvara at the centre flanked by Brahma and Vishnu on its sides. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Brahmesvara / Kalmesvara / Kalleshvara in the form of Shiva Linga. The tower over the sanctum is of two tiers. The antrala has a superstructure called sukhanasi. It looks like a shorter extension of the main tower. The exterior is devoid of any decoration.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 13 Kms from Hangal, 13 Kms from Hangal Bus Stand, 22 Kms from Haveri, 23 Kms from Haveri Railway Station, 23 Kms from Bankapura, 51 Kms from Sirsi, 55 Kms from Ranebennur, 82 Kms from Hubballi and 91 Kms from Hubballi Airport. The temple is situated on Haveri to Hangal route.

Location

Amruteshwara Temple, Annigeri, Karnataka

Amruteshwara Temple, Annigeri, Karnataka

Amruteshwara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Annigeri Town in Annigeri Taluk in Dharwad District in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

History

This temple was built in 1050 CE during the reign of Western Chalukyan King Someshwara I. Inscriptions dating back to the reigns of Kalchuri King Bijjala II, Yadava King Bhillama V, Hoysala King Vira Ballala II and Vijayanagara King Achyutaraya can be found in this temple. These inscriptions records the names of the kings & donors, land grants, grants & gifts made to the temple for recital of purana, for worship & offerings to the deity, genealogy of the Hoysala dynasty, gift of income from the taxes collected, ill effects of gambling, and renovation activities & modifications carried out in the temple. Annigeri served as the last capital of Kalyani Chalukyas under Someshwara IV from 1184 CE till 1189 CE as their main capital Kalyani was captured by the Kalachuri King Bijjala II. Annigeri is the birth place of the great Kannada poet, Adikavi Pampa. He was born in Annigeri in 1050 CE.

The Temple

The temple follows Western Chalukyan style of architecture. This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, navaranga, sabha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The main entrance of the temple opens to the navaranga. There are two openings on either side from navaranga. One leading to the antrala and the other leading into the sabha mandapa. The sabha mandapa has four doorways on all the four sides.

The roof of the temple is supported by 76 pillars. The doorjamb of the sanctum has seven bands of decoration. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Amruteshwara in the form of Shiva Linga. The shikara over the sanctum is crowned with kalasa on top and is of seven tiers. The shikara is adorned with sculptures of Kirtimukhas (demon faces), miniature decorative towers.

All the three major niches on three directions are empty now. The vestibule has a superstructure called sukhanasi. It looks like a shorter extension of the main tower. The mukha mandapa is crowned with a smaller shikara. The exterior of the temple is devoid of any decoration except the carvings of turrets and makara toranas.

Festivals

Rathotsava (car festival) is celebrated here during the Kannada month of Pushya (Dec-Jan).

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Annigeri Bus Stand, 1.5 Kms from Annigeri Railway Station, 18 Kms from Navalgund, 23 Kms from Gadag, 37 Kms from Hubballi, 42 Kms from Hubballi Airport and 55 Kms from Dharwad. The temple is situated on Hubbali to Gadag route.

Location

Banesvara Temple, Balasore, Odisha

Banesvara Temple, Balasore, Odisha

Banesvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Balasore City in Balasore Tehsil in Balasore District in Odisha, India. The temple is situated on the right bank of Budhabalanga river in Puruna Balasore.

History

The temple is believed to be built by Somavamsis in 10^th century CE. The temple is presently under the care of Panda family of Puruna Balasore.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards west and is a modern concrete flat-roofed temple. The temple consists of sanctum and jagamohana. Both the sanctum and jagamohana are rectangular on plan. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Banesvara in the form of patalaphuta Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. Idols of Nardana Vinayaga, Bhairava, Surya, Indrani, Tara and a relief carved with three Jaina images can be seen in the temple premises.

Festivals

Shivarathri, Badausha and Kartika Purnima are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Patrapada Square, 5 Kms from Balasore Railway Station, 6 Kms from Balasore Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Chandipur, 57 Kms from Jaleswar, 132 Kms from Kharagpur, 200 Kms from Bhubaneswar and 204 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport. The temple is situated at about 2 Kms to the north of Patrapada Square on Balasore to Chandipur route. Balasore is situated in NH 16 connecting Chennai and Kolkata.

Location

Baba Bhusandeswar Temple, Bhograi, Odisha

Baba Bhusandeswar Temple, Bhograi, Odisha

Baba Bhusandeswar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Bhograi Village in Bhograi Tehsil in Balasore District in Odisha, India. The temple is situated on the bank of Subarnarekha river.

Legends

As per legend, Lord Shiva gifted this Shiva Linga to his ardent devotee, Ravana, the demon king of Lanka during Treta Yuga. Lord Shiva warned Ravana not to place the Lingam anywhere during his journey back to Lanka. Indra and the devas were present during this incident and were taken aback. Ravana was on his way to Lanka with Linga in Pushpaka vimana. However, he felt tired and decided to place the Shiva Linga on the ground. He took rest at this place.

After resting for a while, he decided to continue his journey to Lanka and tried to lift the Shiva Linga. He was not able to lift the Linga. Ravana realized that he did not follow the instruction of Lord Shiva and left the Linga and returned to Lanka. It remained in the wild for several centuries. A Marwari businessman from Jaleswar had a dream about this Shiva Linga. He came here and searched for the Linga in the forest. Ultimately, he found the Linga and built a temple for enshrining this Linga.

The Temple

This temple is a simple structure enshrining a massive Shiva Linga called Bhusandeswar in the sanctum. The Linga is about 12 feet tall and 14 feet wide carved out of a single black granite stone. Only, the upper and the middle portion of the Linga is visible. It is said that the lower part of the Linga is said to be buried in the ground. The Shakthi peedam encircling the visible portion has been recently made. The middle portion is octagonal in shape about 12 feet in diameter and 4 feet in height. The Linga slightly tilted towards the right side. The priest need to climb up on a podium to reach the top of the Linga to perform the daily rites and rituals.

Festivals

Maha Shivaratri is the most famous festival celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 6 Kms from Jaleswarpur, 19 Kms from Digha, 32 Kms from Jaleswar, 33 Kms from Jaleswar Railway Station, 87 Kms from Balasore, 107 Kms from Kharagpur, 203 Kms from Kolkata, 211 Kms from Kolkata Airport and 282 Kms from Bhubaneswar. The temple is situated at about 6 Kms to the west of Jaleswarpur on Jaleswar to Digha route.

Location

Akhandalamani Temple, Aradi – Legends

Akhandalamani Temple, Aradi – Legends

Akhandalamani:

As per legend, King Niladri Samara Singh Mohapatra was ruling over this region in 17^th century CE. One day, he sent a farmer to cultivate his paddy field on the bank of Baitrani river. While cultivating, the blade of his plough was broken by hitting an unknown hard material. The farmer got curious and excavated the land slowly. He found a black glazed granite stone and also noticed a stream of blood flowing towards the Baitrani river from this stone. He got frightened and ran towards the king to report this incident.

Immediately, the king came to the spot and found flood of milk instead of blood and found a huge black cobra hooding the stone. The same night on that day, the king had a dream about the arrival of Lord Akhandalamani on that place. The next day, the king came to that spot and worshipped Lord. He also built a wooden temple for the Lord. The devotees from the surrounding region thronged the spot. The king invited five Brahmins from a village named Naharagrama of Jajpur district to take care of the rituals and worship of Lord Akhandalamani.

King Harihara Bhanja Deo of Rajkanika got cured of eye disease by the grace of Lord Akhandalamani:

As per legend, King Harihara Bhanja Deo of Konika was suffering from a severe eye disease. He tried several treatments to cure his disease but all failed. One day, his wife Rani Satyabhama Patadei came to Aradi and worshipped Akhandalamani sincerely for the cure of his husband eye disease. Pleased with her prayers, Lord Akhandalamani appeared in the dreams of the king and informed him the cure for his eye disease. In gratitude, the king built a proper temple for Lord Akhandalamani. Also, he dug a large pond near the temple and named it as Shiva Ganga. This pond is connected to the Baitrani river.

Akhandalamani Temple, Aradi, Odisha

Akhandalamani Temple, Aradi, Odisha

Akhandalamani Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Aradi Village in Chandbali Tehsil in Bhadrak District in Odisha, India. The temple is situated on the banks of Baitrani river. The temple is under the control of Endowment Department, Government of Odisha.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2022/11/akhandalamani-temple-aradi-legends.html

History

The initial temple was built by King Sri Niladri Samara Singha Mohapatra in 17^th century CE. The present temple was constructed by the king of Konika, Shri Harihara Bhanja and his chief queen Satyabhama Patadei in 19^th century CE. It is said that the stones used in the construction of this temple were brought from the Lalitgiri hill near Chandikhol. The main hall was built by a sage named Shri Narasingha Pratap Kumar and the surrounding wall of the temple was built by a noted sage named Shri Darshan Sekhara Das. The Bhoga Mandapa and the temple office were built the endowments department of Odisha.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of pidha vimana and mandapa. The temple is about 150 feet tall. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Akhandalamani in the form of Shiva Linga. Sculptures of various avatars of Vishnu can be found on the walls. Shrines and idols of Ganesha, Hanuman, Bhadrakali, Radha Krishna, Nandi and Varuni can be seen in the temple premises. Rare sculptures of Hindu deities can be seen in the temple premises.

Festivals

Mahashivaratri, Shamba Dasami, Panna Sankranti, Chandran Yatra, Kartika Purnima, Rash Purnima, Diwali Amavasya and Shiva Vivah are the festivals celebrated here. Boita Bandana Utsav is usually observed in the Shiva Ganga tank of Akhandalamani on the day of Kartik Purnima. Bol bam devotees come to Aradi in large number from different areas in the month of Sravana to worship the God and pour holy water over the Shiva Linga. The Bol bam devotees carry holy water from different rivers of India like Ganges, Baitarani, Mahanadi, Salandi, Peta etc. with a bamboo lever.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 750 metres from Aradi Bus Stand, 30 Kms from Chandbali, 30 Kms from Rameswarpur, 38 Kms from Bhadrak, 43 Kms from Bhadrak Railway Station, 137 Kms from Bhubaneswar and 143 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport. Aradi is situated to the east of Bhadrak via Asurali, Kothara and Dhusuri. Aradi is connected to Chandbali by boat through the river Baitarani. It takes two hours from Chandbali ferry ghat to Aradi by boat.

Location