Mukteshvara Temple, Chaudayyadanapura – The Temple

Mukteshvara Temple, Chaudayyadanapura – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The main shrine consists of sanctum, antrala and ranga mandapa. The ranga mandapa has entrances on the eastern and southern sides. These entrances are provided with mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa on the east is found detached from the main shrine. The ranga mandapa is supported by four central pillars.

An image of Surya can be seen on the space between these pillars. He is shown standing below a canopy made of seven hoods of a serpent. A Sapta Matrikas panel can be seen in one of the niche of the ranga mandapa. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Mukteshvara in the form of Shiva Linga. It is unique to note that this Linga is not placed over any base.

The Linga is said to be Swayambhu (self-manifested). The tower over the sanctum is of pyramidal shape and has three stories of diminishing size. It is topped with a square dome with its angles protruding up like lotus petals. The tower over the central shrine and the vestibule are intact and highly decorative. The antrala has a superstructure called sukhanasi. It looks like a shorter extension of the main tower.

There is a small west facing shrine situated to the south of the detached mukha mandapa of the main shrine. This shrine consists of sanctum and a mandapa. An inscription of Kannadevi dated to 1262 CE records that this shrine was built by her in memory of her husband and dedicated the shrine to Lord Kalinath. There are few smaller shrines housing Lingas in its sanctum can be seen in the temple premises. The inscriptions found in the temple are housed under a shed.