Mallikarjuna Temple, Kuruvatti, Karnataka

Mallikarjuna Temple, Kuruvatti, Karnataka

Mallikarjuna Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kuruvatti Village in Hoovina Hadagali Taluk in Ballari District in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is situated on the banks of Tungabhadra river. The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

Mallikarjuna Swamy:

As per legend, Lord Shiva killed the demons for the benefit of the world at this place. He revealed himself in a form of Lingam and came to be called as Mallikarjuna Swamy. Lord Nandi came here in search of Mallikarjuna Swamy, found him on the bank of Tungabhadra River, sat in front of him and started worshiping him from then on.

Kuruvathi:

As per legend, Lord Basaveshwara (Nandi, mount of Lord Shiva) came here to heal the wounds (Kuru) of the devotees. Hence, the place came to be called as Kuruvathi.

History

The temple was built in the 11^th century CE by Western Chalukyas and later was extensively renovated by Hoysalas. As per the inscription dated to 1099 CE, the temple was constructed in the memory of deceased Chalukya King Someshvara I who committed voluntary suicide at Kuruvathi in 1062 CE. Lord Shiva of this temple came to be called as Abhinava Someshvara / Ahavamallesvara / Trailokya Mallesvara after the deceased king. The temple might have been constructed between 1070 and 1100 CE by the King Vikramaditya VI, the heir apparent of the deceased Chalukya King Someshvara I.

Most of the inscriptions are dated to Western Chalukyan King Vikramaditya VI. Few of the inscriptions are dated to Gutta Kings, feudatory rulers under the control of Western Chalukyas. Kuruvathi was the abode of Lokabharana, the Rajaguru of Hoysala king Ballala II. The chief queen of Ballala II, Padumaladevi, also made a grant at Kuruvathi to god Ahavamallesvara. The village had been referred as Dakshina Varanasi in one of the inscription.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/02/mallikarjuna-temple-kuruvatti-temple.html

Festivals

The maha Rathotsava is celebrated on Maha Shivaratri Amavasya (new moon) day during February–March. Devotees from all over Karnataka and other nearby states in India visit this place during this festival. The Lord Nandi idol is kept inside the ratha and then it moves based on the particular Nakshatra named Magha that match at some point of time. This ratha does not move unless and until Nakshatra matches Magha (nakshatra). Once the Nakshatra is matched, devotees will pull the ratha.

Later when the ratha starts moving, the devotees then offer flower garlands, coconuts and banana fruits to the Lord Nandi ratha. Daily pujas are conducted for the Lord Nandi. There are some special pujas performed during the time of festivals and during Maha Shivaratri. Holige and ghee is served as Naivedya to Lord Nandi. A special puja is performed to the Lord Nandi and Mallikarjuna Swamy during the Kartika. The devotees are provided with Prasadam (food) on the Amavasya (new moon) day of every month which is provided by the devotees in form of Dana.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 3 Kms from Mylara, 4 Kms from Mylara Bus Stand, 13 Kms from Guttal, 13 Kms from Guttal Bus Stand, 15 Kms from Halavagal, 31 Kms from Ranebennur Railway Station, 32 Kms from Ranebennur, 38 Kms from Harapanahalli, 40 Kms from Haveri, 40 Kms from Huvina Hadagali, 44 Kms from Harihar, 53 Kms from Davanagere, 126 Kms from Hubballi Airport and 168 Kms from Ballari. The temple is situated on Guttal to Halavagal route via Mylara.

Location

Doddabasappa Temple, Dambal, Karnataka

Doddabasappa Temple, Dambal, Karnataka

Doddabasappa Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Dambal Village in Mundargi Taluk in Gadag District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Temple was built in early 12th century CE by Western Chalukyas. The earliest inscription found in the temple is dated to 1184 CE dated to reign of King Somesvara IV of Western Chalukyan Dynasty. It records the gift to the presiding deity Mailabesvara of this temple. The temple was called as Ajjameshvara temple named after the builder Ajjayyanayaka, a royal officer in Western Chalukya Kingdom.

Later, the temple acquired the name Doddabasappa because of its massive Nandi (Doddabasappa means big bull) Nandi placed at the entrance of the temple. Dambal was called as Dharmavolal and Dharmapura in inscriptions. It is said that Lakshmi Devi, Queen of Vikramaditya VI of Western Chalukyas was ruling from Dambal, a provincial capital of Western Chalukyas.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. The temple consists sanctum, vestibule and navaranga. The navaranga is provided with entrance porches on the eastern and southern side. The eastern entrance porch has been converted into Nandi mandapa. The Nandi mandapa houses a massive Nandi. The temple came to be called as Doddabasappa Temple because of this Nandi. The eastern entrance doorway has seven bands of decoration. Gajalakshmi can be seen on the lalatabimba of the lintel.

She is flanked by four elephants instead of usual two elephants. Sculptures of Lord Brahma with his mount Swan and Surya can be seen in the navaranga. The pillars of the Navaranga and Mukhamandapa are profusely decorated with sculptures of gods and goddesses of Hindu pantheon. The interior of the mandapa and vestibule are decorated with floral designs and images of dancers, musicians etc. There is a torana (architrave) before the entrance of the sanctum.

The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga. The vimana is based on a 24-pointed stellate (star-shaped) plan while the hall is based on a 32 pointed stellate (star-shaped). The stellar plan is continued with the shikhara. The shikara over the sanctum is of seven tiers. The upper tiers of the shikara look like cogged wheels with 48 dents. The exterior walls of the temple are decorated with pilasters and turrets at regular intervals.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Dambal Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Mundargi, 21 Kms from Gadag New Bus Stand, 22 Kms from Gadag, 23 Kms from Gadag Junction Railway Station, 36 Kms from Itagi, 80 Kms from Hubli and 84 Kms from Hubli Airport. The Temple is situated on Gadag to Mundargi road. Regular buses are available from Gadag to reach this temple.

Location | Photos

Nandi Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Nandi Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Nandi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to bull mount of Lord Shiva located at Khajuraho town in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh, India. This Temple is situated opposite to Vishvanatha Temple and considered as an integral part of the Viswanatha temple. This temple is considered as part of the western group at Khajuraho. This temple is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other temples in Khajuraho Group of Monuments.

The Temple

This Temple stands in front of Vishvanatha Temple and is facing towards west. This Shrine is considered as an integral part of the Viswanatha temple. The temple measures 9.5 m in length and 9.4 m in width. The temple stands on a raised rectangular platform and can be accessed by flight of steps. The plan of the main structure is of the shape of cross quadrate (combination of cross and rectangle), where the rectangle form the sanctum and the cross edges form the four balconies (one on each side). The temples walls are like balcony walls and do not cover the sanctum completely.

The roof rests on twelve pillars (one at each corner). This shrine houses a colossal idol of Nandi. It is about 2.2 m long and 1.8 m high. The border design is made of carvings depicting elephant (front view with head, trunk and two legs). Human figures are also depicted on both side of elephant. The sculpture of Lord Shiva (with trishula on right shoulder and snake on left shoulder) can also be seen on outer roof and wall (along with border design). Erotic sculpture of couples are also seen on the outer roof.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Khajuraho Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Khajuraho Airport, 7 Kms from Rajnagar, 9 Kms from Khajuraho Railway Station, 12 Kms from Bamitha, 41 Kms from Chhatarpur, 47 Kms from Panna and 379 Kms from Bhopal. Khajuraho is situated on Bamitha to Rajnagar route. Khajuraho railway station connects the town by a daily train to Delhi via Mahoba, Jhansi and Gwalior. It provides a daily train connecting to Agra, Jaipur, Bhopal and Udaipur. A local daily train also connects to Kanpur, whilst Varanasi is connected three times a week. Khajuraho Airport has flights to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Mumbai.

Location

Basaveshvara Temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka

Basaveshvara Temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka

Basaveshvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Nandi, bull vehicle of Lord Shiva, located in Lakkundi Village near Gadag Town in Gadag District of Karnataka. This temple is medium sized temple with ornate carving and in the door frame as usual found in any Chalukyan temples. It is quite near to Naneshvara Temple. It houses a big Nandi inside the Temple. The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Lakkundi Bus Stop.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/05/lakkundi-connectivity.html

Location