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