Betteshvara Temple, Agrahara Belaguli – The Temple Complex

Betteshvara Temple, Agrahara Belaguli – The Temple Complex

This temple is facing towards east. The maha dwara is situated on the southern side. It is a two storeyed structure of the Hoysalas. The temple is constructed in dwikutachala style, consisting of two shrines, one on the western side and other on the northern side. The western shrine connects to navaranga via antrala, and the northern shrine is directly connected to navaranga. The navaranga is square on plan and has an entrance porch on the southern side. The navaranga is supported by four central pillars.

These pillars are bell shaped. The pilasters are designed in indented square shape. The ceilings of the navaranga which rise upon three sets of corner stones are variedly designed with shallow padma domes except the central one which is about four feet deep. Above the corner stones carved with lion faces and the images of dikpalas, stands a circle of sixteen turrets. Above there is a ribbed dome with three concentric circles and a pendant bud.

Images of Sarasvati, Ganesha, Shanmuka, Bhairava, Durga, Saptamatrikas and pedestals once housed the image of Surya and Mahishasura Mardini can be found in the Navaranga. The lintel of the eastern doorway of the navaranga is uncarved. The base of the doorjamb of the southern doorway of the navaranga is carved with dvarapalas. The lintel of the doorway has an image of Thandaveswara.

The navaranga is connected to a spacious mukha mandapa with an entrance porch on the southern side. There is a shrine without any image on the northern side of the mukha mandapa. A nandi mandapa is attached to the mukha mandapa on the eastern side with a four feet tall nandi. A parapet wall with kakasanas in the interior runs around the mukha mandapa. The pillars resting on the kakasanas are sixteen sided but unfinished.

The four central pillars are bell shaped and finely polished. The ceilings are flat except the one in the westernmost square which has a large shallow padma. The base of the doorjamb of the antrala has images of dvarapalas on either side. The lintel of the antrala doorway has carvings of Uma Mahesvara seated in sukhasana flanked by Vinayaga, Brahma, Nandi, Vishnu, Shanmuka, and celestial nymphs.

There is a series of nine towers with the central one is three tiered can be seen above the lintel. The antrala has a domed ceiling of concentric circles. The western shrine is considered as the main shrine of the temple complex. The lintel of the sanctum doorway has an image of Thandaveswara. The base of the doorjamb has images of dvarapalas on either side. The sanctum ceiling is flat and has nine panels, each having a lotus.

It enshrines the presiding deity, Betteshvara / Keshavesvara in the form of Shiva Linga. The Linga is about 3 feet tall and one feet in diameter. The northern shrine enshrines an image of Keshava. The idol is about 5.5 feet tall and stands on a 2.5 feet high pedestal. He is four armed holding conch, discus, club, and lotus. The prabhavali is highly ornamental with carvings depicting the ten avatars of Vishnu.

Of them, the representation of Matsya and Kurma shown as fish and tortoise, are simply grand in design. Buddha is represented here as the ninth manifestation of Lord Vishnu. The image is one of the best representations of Kesava in Hoysala style. The superstructure over the shrines are of brick structure built during the Vijayanagara period. The exterior of the temple is devoid of any decoration except the pilaster designs. There is a pond situated to the northeast of the temple.