Amrutesvara temple, Amruthapura

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Amruthapura| skyline = Amrutesvara Temple in Chikkamagaluru district.jpg‎
skyline_caption = "Ekakuta" (singly shrined), Amrutesvara temple, 1196, Chikmagalur district
type = village| latd = 13.741 | longd = 75.854
locator_position = right | state_name = Karnataka
district = Chikmagalur District
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The Amrutesvara temple is located in Amruthapura, a town which is 67 km north of Chikmagalur town in Chikmagalur District, Karnataka state, India. Located 110 km from Hassan and 35 km from Shimoga on NH 206, Amruthapura is known for the splendid Amrutesvara temple (also spelt "Amrutheshvara" or "Amrtesvara") . The temple was built in 1196 by Amrutheswara "Dandanayaka" (commander) under Hoysala King Veera Ballala II. Located in the close vicinity of the Bhadra River reservoir, a short distance from Tarikere town, this is an idyllic spot.

History

The rise of the Hoysalas to power in the 11th - 12th centuries created many important towns and cities ("nagara") along the malnad regions of present day Karnataka. The Hoysalas built many ornate temples in this region and it is not uncommon to find them spaced very short distances from each other.

Amrutesvara temple

The temple is a fine example of Hoysala workmanship built with a wide open "mandapa" (hall).Gerard Foekema, "A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples", pp 37] Surrounded by Palm and Coconut farms, the temple still has its original outer wall with interesting, equally spaced circular carvings. The temple has one "vimana" (shrine), hence it is a "ekakuta" designDepending on the number of towers, the temples are classified as "ekakuta" (one), "dvikuta" (two), "trikuta" (three), "chatushkuta" (four) and "panchakuta" (five). The last two types are rare. Sometimes a "trikuta" temple is literally not "trikuta" as only the central shrine of three shrines has a tower. Gerard Foekema, "A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples", pp 25] and a closed "mandapa" (hall) connects the shrine to the large open "mandapa".

A mid sized Hoysala temple, it compares closely with the Veeranarayana temple at Belavadi in "mandapa" structure and size. The open "mandapa" has 29 baysA bay is a square or rectangular compartment in the hall, Gerard Foekema, "A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples" pp 36 pp 93] and the closed "mantapa" has 9 bays with a side porch that leads to another separate shrine on the south side. The shrine is square in shape and still has the original superstructure (tower) richly adorned with sculptures of "Kirthimukhas" (demon faces), miniature towers etc. Below the superstructure, the usual panel of Hindu deities is not present. The base of the wall has five mouldings which is an older Hoysala style.In a typical older design that was popular in most of the 12th century Hoysala temples, there is one set of eaves where the tower meets the wall of the shrine. The eaves runs all around the temple. Eaves is a projecting roof overhanging the temple wall. Below the eaves are decorated miniature towers on pilasters. Below these towers are the wall panels of Hindu Gods, Goddesses and their attendants. Below these panels are the 5 mouldings. Gerard Foekema, "A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples" pp 28] The "Sukanasi"] has the original Hoysala emblem of "Sala" fighting the tiger.According to historians C. Hayavadhana Rao, J. D. M. Derrett, B. R Joshi, Sala was a mythical founder of the empire, "A Concise History of Karnataka" pp 123, Dr. S.U. Kamath, History of Karnataka, Arthikaje.]

The speciality of the temple are the rows of shining lathe turned pillars that support the ceiling of the "mantapa".] The "mantapa" has many deeply domed inner ceiling structures adorned with floral designs. The outer parapet wall of the open "mantapa" has a total of 140 panels of sculptures depicting the Hindu epics. Unlike in many Hoysala temples where the panels are small and carvings miniature, these panels are large. The Ramayana is sculpted on the south side wall on 70 panels with the story proceeding anti clockwise which is unusual. On the north side wall, all depictions are clockwise, the normal Hoysala style. 25 panels depict the life of Lord Krishna and the remaining 45 panels depict the epic Mahabharata.

Ruvari Mallitamma, the famous Hoysala sculptor and architect started his career here working on the domed ceilings in the main "mantapa".An article "Architectural marvel" by P.B.Premkumar, "Spectrum", Tuesday, January 20, 2004 [http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan202004/spt6.asp] ] The large stone inscription near the porch is an excellent example of medieval Kannada poetry composed by the famous poet Janna.

ee also

Hoysala architecture
Chikmagalur District

Notes

References

* Gerard Foekema, A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples, Abhinav, 1996 ISBN 978-81-7017-345-8
* Dr. Suryanath U. Kamath, A Concise history of Karnataka from pre-historic times to the present, Jupiter books, 2001, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002)

External links

* [http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan202004/spt6.asp Architectural marvel]