Siddha Rameshvara Temple, Niralgi, Karnataka

Siddha Rameshvara Temple, Niralgi, Karnataka

Siddha Rameshvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Niralgi Village in Shiggaon Taluk in Haveri District in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple can be assigned to 12^th century by the Western Chalukyas based on the constructional style. An inscription of much later period on a pillar of the navaranga records the renovation activities carried out in this temple by Yakshadeva of Huligere. Niralgi was known as Nirili / Nerilage / Nerulage as per the inscriptions found in this temple.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards north. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and ranga mandapa. The ranga mandapa has entrance porch on the eastern and western side. The entrance porch on the eastern side has collapsed. There is a beautiful makara torana in front of the antrala. An image of Nataraja can be seen at the centre of the torana flanked by Vishnu and Brahma. Nandi can be found in the antrala facing towards the sanctum. There are two niches on either side of the antrala. One niche enshrines an idol of Sapta Matrikas and the other enshrines an idol of Lord Vishnu.

The lintel of the sanctum has an image of Vishnu with Garuda at its centre. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity Siddha Rameshvara in the form of Shiva Linga. The tower over the sanctum and antrala are intact and highly decorative. The tower over the sanctum is crowned with kalasa on top and is of three tiers. The vestibule has a superstructure called sukhanasi. It looks like a shorter extension of the main tower. The external walls are decorated with miniature shikaras and decorative pillars.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 10 Kms from Ramankop, 12 Kms from Tadas, 12 Kms from Tadas Bus Stand, 17 Kms from Shiggaon, 26 Kms from Kundgol, 26 Kms from Kundgol Railway Station, 35 Kms from Hubballi, 38 Kms from Laxmeshwar, 38 Kms from Hubballi Airport and 46 Kms from Haveri. The temple is situated on Hubballi to Laxmeshwar route.

Location