Pranavesvara Temple, Talagunda, Karnataka

Pranavesvara Temple, Talagunda, Karnataka

Pranavesvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Talagunda Village in Shikaripura Taluk in Shivamogga District in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/01/pranavesvara-temple-talagunda-history.html

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum and ardha mandapa. Both the sanctum and ardha mandapa are square on plan. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Pranavesvara / Pranava Lingeshwara in the form of huge Shiva Linga on bhadra pitha. The doorjambs of the sanctum doorway is said to have been carved from the inscriptional slabs with early Kadamba inscriptions. The doorjambs might have been made in 11^th century CE. The pillar is located in front of the temple. The famous Talagunda pillar inscription is engraved on this hard grey granite pillar.

The pillar is about 1.635 metres (5.36 ft) high with a 0.4 metres (1.3 ft) square top. It is octagonal shaft that slightly tapers and narrows as it goes up. The width of the octagonal face is 0.178 metres (0.58 ft). The inscription is on all faces, but on 7 of the 8 faces, it consists of two vertical lines that start at the bottom of the pillar. On the eighth face, there is just one short line.  Hero stones, Nandis, Nagas, Lingas and architectural fragments can be found scattered in the temple premises.

Talagunda Pillar Inscription

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/01/pranavesvara-temple-talagunda-talagunda-pillar-inscription.html

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 4 Kms from Balligavi, 7 Kms from Shiralakoppa, 20 Kms from Hirekerur, 23 Kms from Soraba, 27 Kms from Shikaripura, 46 Kms from Sagara Railway Station, 78 Kms from Shivamogga and 134 Kms from Hubballi Airport. The temple is situated at about 7 Kms to the north of Shiralakoppa on Hirekerur to Soraba route.

Location

Mahalingeshwara Temple, Gokak, Karnataka

Mahalingeshwara Temple, Gokak, Karnataka

Mahalingeshwara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Gokak City in Gokak Taluk in Belagavi District in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is situated close to Gokak Falls on the banks of Ghataprabha River. This temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple was built in 1153 CE during the reign of Kartaveerya III of Ratta Dynasty. The temple was mentioned as Thateshwara Temple in an inscription belonged to Kartaveerya III found in the temple. Inscriptions dating back to 12^th century CE can be seen in the temple premises. These inscriptions refers to the Jain temple in the village. But these inscription slabs are fixed in the walls of this temple. These inscriptions records the genealogy of the Tonda Mandalikas and grant of the Kundanur village for the benefit of a temple.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards north and follows Kalyani Chalukyan style of architecture. The temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapa, sabha mandapa with entrances on the eastern, western and northern sides. The sabha mandapa is enclosed by parapet walls on all sides except the entrances. Nandi can be seen in the sabha mandapa facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Mahalingeshwara / Thateshwara in the form of Shiva Linga. The exterior is devoid of any decorations except the niches and the pilaster designs.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 4 Kms from Konnur, 5 Kms from Konnur Railway Station, 7 Kms from Gokak Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Ghataprabha, 14 Kms from Arabhavi, 27 Kms from Hukkeri, 73 Kms from Belagavi and 122 Kms from Hubballi Airport. The temple is situated on Gokak to Konnur route.

Location

Someshwara Swamy Temple, Gunjur, Karnataka

Someshwara Swamy Temple, Gunjur, Karnataka

Someshwara Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Gunjur, an outskirt of Bengaluru City in Bengaluru South Taluk in Bengaluru Urban District in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is believed to be built by the Cholas in 12^th century CE. The present structure is completely renovated one.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum and mandapa. Stucco images of Lord Shiva and Parvati can be seen at the top of the entrance of the mandapa. Nandi can be seen in the mandapa facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Someshwara Swamy in the form of Shiva Lingam. Idols of Parvati, Vinayaga and Subramanya can be seen in the temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Avadumbara Vriksha (Cluster fig tree).

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 06:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 05:00 PM to 07:30 PM.

Festivals

Karthika Purnima and Maha Shivaratri are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 750 metres from Gunjur Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Varthur, 4 Kms from Belandur Road Railway Station, 6 Kms from Thigala Chowdadenahalli, 24 Kms from Kempegowda Bus Station, 24 Kms from Bengaluru City Junction Railway Station and 44 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. The temple is situated on Varthur to Thigala Chowdadenahalli route.

Location

Kalleshvara Temple, Bethuru, Karnataka

Kalleshvara Temple, Bethuru, Karnataka

Kalleshvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Bethuru Village near Davanagere Town in Davanagere Taluk in Davanagere District in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is believed to be built by the Cholas. This temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum and sabha mandapa. The sabha mandapa is a pillared and open hall. However, the sabha mandapa was closed on a side by hero stones and inscription slabs. There is an ashta dikpalas panel in the middle of the mandapa ceiling. This panel has Gaja Samharamoorthy in the centre surrounded by the eight guardian deities. All the guardian deities are depicted with their consorts and respective mounts, except Nriti who is shown alone. Sculptures of Saraswati and Sapta Matrikas can be seen in the sabha mandapa.

The base of the doorjamb of the sanctum has dvarapalas accompanied with three male attendants and one female attendant. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Kalleshvara in the form of Shiva Lingam. The shikara over the sanctum is of stepped pyramidal style. The top over the shikara is of square on plan. It has window (kudu) on each side. A spherical stupi can be seen above this portion. There is an intricately carved sculpture of Mahishasuramardhini can be seen outside the sabha mandapa. The sculpture is about 4.5 feet tall including its pedestal. She is eight armed holding several weapons.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 4.5 Kms from Davanagere Railway Station, 5 Kms from Davanagere, 5 Kms from Davanagere Bus Stand, 47 Kms from Jagalur and 157 Kms from Hubballi Airport. The temple is situated on Davanagere to Jagalur route.

Location

Someshvara Temple, Haralahalli, Karnataka

Someshvara Temple, Haralahalli, Karnataka

Someshvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Haralahalli Village in Haveri Taluk in Haveri District in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is situated on the banks of Tungabhadra river. This temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India. Haralahalli was considered as one of the important Kalamukha center during ancient times.

History

This temple is believed to be built in 11^th century CE. The earliest inscription found in this temple belongs to the reign of Vikramaditya II of the Guttas of Guttal ruling under the patronage of Western Chalukyas. This ekakuta (single shrine) structure was converted into trikuta (triple shrine) structure as per the instruction of the Kalamukha priest of the temple, Kalyanashakti during the rule of Gutta King Joma II. Gutta King Joma II added two more shrines housing Vikrameshvara on the north and Gutteshvara on the south.

Both these shrines were dedicated to his predecessors Vikramaditya and Gutta. There is another trikuta shrine situated to the north of the Someshvara temple. This shrine is referred as Chikkeshvara temple in the inscriptions. This temple might have been built during the reign of Yadava King Singhana II in 13^th century CE. There are mentions about two more shrines namely Daseshvara shrine and Tulvaleshvara shrine in the inscriptions found in the temple. However, these shrines had been lost completely and are not traceable now. Haralhalli was called as Gottamgadi in inscriptions.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2024/07/someshvara-temple-haralahalli-temple.html

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Kancharagatti, 6 Kms from Guttal, 6 Kms from Guttal Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Mylara, 29 Kms from Ranebennur Railway Station, 30 Kms from Ranebennur, 32 Kms from Haveri Railway Station, 33 Kms from Haveri, 63 Kms from Davanagere and 103 Kms from Hubbali Airport. The temple is located at about 1.5 Kms to the northeast of Kancharagatti on Guttal to Mylara route.

Location

Mukthi Natheshwara Temple, Binnamangala, Karnataka

Mukthi Natheshwara Temple, Binnamangala, Karnataka

Mukthi Natheshwara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Binnamangala locality of Nelamangala Town near Bengaluru City in Nelamangala Taluk in Bengaluru Rural District in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is one of the lesser known Chola temples in Karnataka. This temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple was constructed in 1110 CE during the reign of Chola Emperor Kulothunga Chola I (1070 – 1122 CE) as per the inscription in the temple.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and situated at a lower level from the surrounding ground level. Dwaja Sthambam can be seen in front of the temple. Nandi can be seen on a platform facing towards the sanctum. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa has four pillars and can be reached after climbing five steps. Carvings of ashta dikpalas can be seen on the ceiling of the mandapa.  The sanctum enshrines the presiding, Mukthi Natheshwara in the form of Shiva Lingam.

The vimana over the sanctum follows dravidian style of architecture and is of single tier. The exterior of the temple is decorated with carvings of Vishnu, Nataraja, Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Venugopala, Mahishasura Mardini, various other Hindu deities and pilasters. There is an inscriptional slab situated in front of the temple recording the construction of the temple.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 07.00 am to 01.00 pm and 05.30 pm to 08.30 pm.

Connectivity

The temple is located 4 Kms from Nelamangala Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Nelamangala Railway Station, 23 Kms from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station, 23 Kms from Bengaluru City Junction Railway Station, 26 Kms from Bengaluru and 44 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. The temple is situated on Nelamangala to Bengaluru route.

Location

Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Marehalli, Karnataka

Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Marehalli, Karnataka

Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Marehalli Village in Malavalli Taluk in Mandya District in the Indian state of Karnataka. Lord Narasimha was locally known as Marehalli Mudukappa / Sowmya Narasimha Swamy. This temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

As per legend, two sages namely Suyagna and Lambakarna performed intense penance on Lord Narasimha in this place. Pleased with their devotion, Lord Narasimha appeared in their dreams and assured that he would take his abode here.

History

This temple was built by Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I (985 – 1012 CE) after his victory over Western Chalukyan King Satyashraya (997 – 1008 CE). Rajaraja Chola I acquired the title Rajasraya after this victory. ). The temple was called as Rajasraya Vinnagaram in the inscriptions. The 108 pillared mandapam and other shrines were built during the reigns of Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Kingdom and Mysore Wadiyar dynasty. There are about twenty five inscriptions found in this temple.

Inscriptions belonged to the Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Kingdom and Mysore Wadiyar dynasty can be seen in the temple. Inscriptions of Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in Tamil and Kannada can be found in the temple. An inscription of Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana dated to 1148 CE records the gift of a village named Kanchanur of Vadakarai Nadu to this temple. This inscription was in Tamil and the deity was called as Narasingha Perumal. Marehalli was earlier known as Gajaranya Kshetra.

The Temple Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2024/07/lakshmi-narasimha-swamy-temple-marehalli-temple-complex.html

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 06.00 AM to 02.00 PM and 05.00 PM to 07.00 PM.

Contact

Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple,

Marehalli, Malavalli Taluk,

Mandya District – 571 463

Karnataka, India

Phone: +91 8231 242 277 

Mobile: +91 89718 06449

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 3 Kms from Malavalli, 3 Kms from Malavalli Bus Stand, 33 Kms from Kollegal, 33 Kms from Mandya, 52 Kms from Mysuru, 59 Kms from Mysuru Airport and 108 Kms from Bengaluru. The temple is situated on Mandya to Kollegal route via Malavalli.

Location