Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple - Hidden Marvel of Dravidian Architecture
Well, this time our journey headed towards North Bangalore, on the foothills of Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapur district to visit the architectural marvel of 9th century AD. Yes, its another marvel of Dravidian architecture, named Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple, located at Nandi Village, dedicated to the Hindu God, Shiva. This place is located at a distance of about 55 kilometers from Bangalore. You may reach the place by National Highway44, few minutes drive after New Bangalore Airport toll gate, at a stretch of 5 to 10 kilometers. Overall, it's about 2 hours drive from our home to this destination.
As we reached the destination, we did park the vehicle close to the main gates of the temple complex, we do not have a dedicated parking space in this place, but have enough space to keep our vehicles on the roadside with no parking fee. As we entered the gate, found a very large lawn spread with big trees around and many of them looked centuries old. Further, as we walked about 15 meters, found the second entrance to the temple(prakara) where we had to leave our footwear for a nominal charge. In this place, we also see the broken wheels of the stone chariots.
As we entered the temple, it was just amazing to look around and explore. As per the inscriptions available, this temple was originally built by Nolamba dynasty during 806 -810 AD. However, the later improvements were made by different dynasties who ruled the region, especially Gangas of Talakad and King Rajendra Chola of Chola dynasty. The closer look into the architecture depicts that this temple complex has a blend of architectural intelligence (AI :) ) of Gangas, Cholas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara styles as all of these rulers had patronaged this temple and contributed in their own way to maintain it as one of the popular devotional centers. This temple also has a statue of the Chola King Rajendra.
Further, we learned from the people that 'Arunachaleswara' and 'Uma-Maheshwara' shrine with 'Kalyan Mantap' was built by Ganga rulers. The temple has 3 main shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, of 3 different stages of life, Arunachaleswara; for childhood, Bhoga Nandeeshwara; for youth and Uma-Maheshwara depicting the next stage of married life, with goddess Parvati. Its believed that another shrine on the top of Nandi Hills, named Yoga Nandeeshwara/Narasimhan was also constructed during the same period represents the final 'Renunciation' stage of Shiva and therefore, this temple has no festivities conducted with grandeur and pamper.
Each of the shrines has a sanctum, a vestibule and a closed hall(Navaranga) with perforated stone screens named jali. Each shrine has a Nandi mantap, just as seen in any other Shiva temple, facing the sanctum(Garbhagriha). The outer walls(prakara) of the complex has 2 minor shrines for Goddess with a Navaranga mantapa(pavilion) with yali pillars. Next, to this compound, we have a beautifully constructed temple tank(Kalyani), named 'Sringi theertha', few steps below the ground which is believed to be the source of Pinakini river, which flows in the Chikballapur and Kolar districts, before flowing into Tamil Nadu.
Just as in other ancient temples, one could see all major Hindu Gods sculptures in the temple complex supported by ornate pillars with relief displaying Hindu deities Shiva with his consort Parvati, Brahma with Saraswati, Vishnu with his consort Lakshmi and Agni with his consort Swaha Devi, all these with decorative designs of animals like elephants, horses, and birds. So, in short, we can say the whole temple complex is in the Dravidian architecture as we see different architectural styles in this single complex. Currently, the temple is being managed by Archeological Survey of India and as per the latest updates on this temple, it is said that the department [ASI] is going to focus on improving this tourist destination by providing better civic facilities.
Therefore, if you are looking for a place to hang around this weekend, may surely consider it as your impending destination. If you don't want to go on a long drive, but looking for a place to refresh yourself out of your regular life, I am sure, this could be a perfect location for you, be it with your family or with friends! Along with worship, explore and learn how we had inherited such a wonderful structure that is time immemorial. Below are some of my clicks for you...
As we reached the destination, we did park the vehicle close to the main gates of the temple complex, we do not have a dedicated parking space in this place, but have enough space to keep our vehicles on the roadside with no parking fee. As we entered the gate, found a very large lawn spread with big trees around and many of them looked centuries old. Further, as we walked about 15 meters, found the second entrance to the temple(prakara) where we had to leave our footwear for a nominal charge. In this place, we also see the broken wheels of the stone chariots.
As we entered the temple, it was just amazing to look around and explore. As per the inscriptions available, this temple was originally built by Nolamba dynasty during 806 -810 AD. However, the later improvements were made by different dynasties who ruled the region, especially Gangas of Talakad and King Rajendra Chola of Chola dynasty. The closer look into the architecture depicts that this temple complex has a blend of architectural intelligence (AI :) ) of Gangas, Cholas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara styles as all of these rulers had patronaged this temple and contributed in their own way to maintain it as one of the popular devotional centers. This temple also has a statue of the Chola King Rajendra.
Further, we learned from the people that 'Arunachaleswara' and 'Uma-Maheshwara' shrine with 'Kalyan Mantap' was built by Ganga rulers. The temple has 3 main shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, of 3 different stages of life, Arunachaleswara; for childhood, Bhoga Nandeeshwara; for youth and Uma-Maheshwara depicting the next stage of married life, with goddess Parvati. Its believed that another shrine on the top of Nandi Hills, named Yoga Nandeeshwara/Narasimhan was also constructed during the same period represents the final 'Renunciation' stage of Shiva and therefore, this temple has no festivities conducted with grandeur and pamper.
Each of the shrines has a sanctum, a vestibule and a closed hall(Navaranga) with perforated stone screens named jali. Each shrine has a Nandi mantap, just as seen in any other Shiva temple, facing the sanctum(Garbhagriha). The outer walls(prakara) of the complex has 2 minor shrines for Goddess with a Navaranga mantapa(pavilion) with yali pillars. Next, to this compound, we have a beautifully constructed temple tank(Kalyani), named 'Sringi theertha', few steps below the ground which is believed to be the source of Pinakini river, which flows in the Chikballapur and Kolar districts, before flowing into Tamil Nadu.
Just as in other ancient temples, one could see all major Hindu Gods sculptures in the temple complex supported by ornate pillars with relief displaying Hindu deities Shiva with his consort Parvati, Brahma with Saraswati, Vishnu with his consort Lakshmi and Agni with his consort Swaha Devi, all these with decorative designs of animals like elephants, horses, and birds. So, in short, we can say the whole temple complex is in the Dravidian architecture as we see different architectural styles in this single complex. Currently, the temple is being managed by Archeological Survey of India and as per the latest updates on this temple, it is said that the department [ASI] is going to focus on improving this tourist destination by providing better civic facilities.
Therefore, if you are looking for a place to hang around this weekend, may surely consider it as your impending destination. If you don't want to go on a long drive, but looking for a place to refresh yourself out of your regular life, I am sure, this could be a perfect location for you, be it with your family or with friends! Along with worship, explore and learn how we had inherited such a wonderful structure that is time immemorial. Below are some of my clicks for you...
Comments
Post a Comment