The revered Lakshmi Narasimha temple ensconced in the heart of Bhadravati, a small town in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka, is witnessing an extensive renovation. This temple, hailing from the early 13th century, showcases the magnificent Hoysala architecture and has been a prominent place of worship for centuries.
Insights into Lakshmi Narsimha Temple
The Lakshmi Narasimha temple’s establishment traces back to the reign of the Hoysala dynasty during the 13th century. The temple offers a glimpse of the intriguing ‘Trikuta’ style, featuring three distinct shrines dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimha, Venugopalaswamy, and Purushothama. The exterior walls of the temple are decorated with meticulous carvings reflecting the quintessential Hoysala style.
A unique aspect of the temple is its concrete flooring on the platform, known as jagati. This platform serves an important purpose for devotees, who utilize it as a pradakshina path or an ambulatory passage for circumambulation.
Hallmarks of Hoysala Architecture
Hoysala architecture refers to the specific building style that emerged during the 11th to the 14th century under the aegis of the Hoysala Empire. The majority of these architectural gems are concentrated in southern Karnataka.
Referred to as hybrid or vesara, the unique style of Hoysala temples strikes a perfect balance between Dravida and Nagara. The construction plan of these temples broke away from the traditional layout of a single inner chamber accompanied by a pillared hall. Instead, Hoysala temples incorporate multiple shrines organized around a central pillared hall, characterized by an intricately-designed star-shaped layout.
These temples stand out for their complexity, featuring numerous projecting angles evolving from a formerly simple square temple. This results in the temples’ ground-plans mirroring the pattern of a star, leading to the term ‘stellate-plan’.
The use of soapstone, a relatively soft stone, was a distinctive feature of these temples. The pliability of this stone allowed artisans to carve intricate sculptures, prominently visible in the ornate jewellery of the gods adorning the temple walls.
| Temple | Location | Constructed by | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoysaleshvara temple | Halebid, Karnataka | Hoysala king | 1150 |
| Chennakeshava temple | Somnathpura, Karnataka | Narasimha III | 1268 |
| Kesava temple | Belur, Hassan district, Karnataka | Vishnuvardhana | NA |
Famous Temples Constructed in Hoysala Period
The rich architectural legacy of the Hoysala period includes several notable temples. Among these are the Hoysaleshvara temple (Lord of the Hoysalas) located in Halebid, Karnataka, constructed out of dark schist stone by the Hoysala king in 1150. There’s also the Chennakeshava temple in Somnathpura, built around AD 1268 under the reign of Narasimha III, and the Kesava temple at Belur in the Hassan district of Karnataka, constructed by Vishnuvardhana. All these temples, apart from their historical significance, serve as an enduring testament to the architectural brilliance of the Hoysala period.