Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

          At the base of the Nandi Hills in the Nandi Village is that the Bhoga nandeeshwara Temple Nandi Temple that follows the Dravidian kind of architecture. Atop the Nandi Hills are the temples in honor of Sri Ugra Narasimha and Sri Yoga Narasimha.
Bhoga nandeeshwara Temple History:

             Bhoganandeeshwara Temple Nandi Temple  is found in Nandi Hills that is a hill fort of southern India, in the Kolar District of karnataka state. it’s 4851 foot. (1478 meters) on top of water level. Nandidurg hill, known usually as Nandi Hills, is that the source of the Penner and Ponnaiyar rivers. Nandi Hills gets its name from an ancient Nandi temple placed on this hill. This temple has a thousand year old sculpture of Nandi. an ancient lord Shiva and Parvati temple also adorns this hill.
           
             The Nandi Hills or the hills of the Bhoga nandeeshwara Temple are named when the bull of Lord Shiva. The pleasant hill resort of Nandi Hills is also called Nandigiri or Nandidurg amongst the locals. The Nandi Hills have attracted people since long. Nandi hills were the summer haven of tipu sultan also because the British. The palace of tipu sultan and also the Bungalows of British stand in testimony of the same.
             The Bhoganandeeshwara Temple is a major tourist destination and one of the most popular sights in Nandi Hills. The temple is one of the most revered worship centres in the region that was built during Kempe Gowda’s Vijayanagar regime. placed on the foot hills of Nandi hills, the residing deities of the temple ar Bhoga nandeeshwara and Yoga nandeeshwara.
            Bhoganandeeshwara Temple Built during the period of the Banas, Cholas, Hoysalas and also the Vijayanagar Kings, the shrine is popular for its beautifully carved pillars and metal work. Moreover, there’s a lamp tower in front of the temple that’s lighted everyday by a boy who wobbles up to the tower. Yoga Nandeeshwara temple is one of the oldest and beautiful worship places in the region, that was designed by the Cholas. The highlight features of the shrine are the carvings and designs on the walls and sculpture. Besides, the Nandi temple features a beautiful Kalyana Mantapa that grabs attraction of the tourists.
             The Bhoganandeeshwara Temple Nandi Temple homes Lord Shiva, the presiding god of the place. Yoga Nandeeshwara temple complex is guarded by 2 Dwarapalakas at the doorway. Located atop the Hill, the pilgrim centre also serves as a study centre to the students of architecture and sculpture.One of the foremost attractions at the temple is an inscription of ‘Sambhaji’, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Devotees enchant ‘Kodi Maram’, a prayer carven on the wall and look for blessings.

Hoysaleswara Temple Halebid

               Hoysaleswara Temple is dedicated to god Shiva. This Temple was built in Halebid, Karnataka state, India. The King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. The development was completed in 1121 ce. During the first 14th century Halebid was looted by Muslim sulthans and kings from north India and the Temple fell into a state of ruin and neglect. In olden days called as Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra, Halebidu is 16 kilometre from Belur, 31 kilometre from Hassan and 149 kilometre from Mysore in the Karnataka state, India.
 
Hoysaleswara Temple History:
             According to critic and historian S. Settar, from modern inscriptions it’s known  that the temple derives its name from the Hoysala ruler at that time King Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleswara tho’ curiously, the construction of the temple was initiated and financed by rich Shaiva (a Hindu sect) citizens of the city, distinguished among who were Ketamalla and Kesarasetti. The temple building activity was concerned in competition to the development of the Chennakesava Temple at Belur, a Vaishnava (a Hindu sect) Temple. The Hoysaleswara Temple faces a large tank that was built in the center of the 11th century and received water during channels from an ancient anecut (dam) built over the Yagachi River. And the pool preceded the Temple by nearly seventy five years. It’s one of the largest temples dedicated to the god Shiva in India.

Hoysaleswara Temple Architecture:
           The Hoysaleswara Temple is a simple dvikuta vimana (plan with 2 shrines and 2 superstructures), one for “Hoysaleswara” (the king) and the different for “Shantaleswara” (named once Shantala Devi, queen of King Vishnuvardhana) and is built with chloritic chist (more commonly known as soaprock or potstone). The Temple complex as a full is elevated on a jagati (platform), which according to historian Kamath, is a feature that became popular in modern Hoysala constructions.
            According to critic Foekema the 2 shrines that are adjoining face east and every have a mantapa (hall) in front. The temple 2 mantapas are connected giving a large and imposing view of the hall. Individually each shrine is smaller than the one at the Chennakesava Temple at Belur and contains a simple shiva linga the universal symbol of the god Shiva. The plan of the inside of the Temple is simple but the outside appearance completely different because of the introduction of many projections and recesses in the temple walls.
              The towers of the shrines that are missing must have followed the star form of the shrine, even as in several existing healthy towers in different Hoysala temples. The construction over the vestibule that connects the shrine to the mantapa known as sukanasi and the row of decorated miniature roofs above the eaves of the hall are all missing. The Temple was designed at a height that provided the architects enough horizontal and vertical space to depict large and small sculptures. according to the critic James Fergusson the overall effect of the vertical and horizontal lines the play of the define the result of sunshine and shade and the plan of the projections and recesses all amounts to a “marvellous exhibition of human labor to be found even in the patient east and surpasses something in Gothic art”.
           The outer walls of those temples contain an intricate array of stone sculptures. The Hoysaleswara Temple of Halebidu, has been represented by art critics James Fergusson and Percy Brown as an “outstanding example of Hindu architecture” and as the “supreme climax of Indian architecture”
 Hoysaleswara Temple Sculptures :

                 The Hoysaleswara Temple is most well known for its sculptures that run right along the outer wall, starting with a dancing image of the god Ganesh on the left side of the south entrance and ending with another image of Ganesh on the right hand side of the north entrance. In all there are 200 and forty such images.
 In line with the critic Gerard Foekema, maybe no different Hoysala Hoysaleswara Temple is as articulate in sculpture as this can be and these sculptures are “second to none in all of India”. the most labyrinthine of all sculptures are found in the lintels over 2 of the doorways, one on the south side doorway and the different on one of the eastern doorways.
                                                             

Belur Temple

                    The Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple originally called Vijayanarayana Temple was built on the banks of the Yagachi river in Belur, by the Hoysala Empire King Vishnuvardhana. Belur, that was an early Hoysala capital is in the Hassan district of Karnataka state, India. it’s 40 kilometre from Hassan town and 220 kilometre from Bangalore. Chennakesava (lit, “handsome Kesava”) may be a kind of the Hindu god Vishnu. Belur is well known for its marvelous temples designed during the rule of the Hoysala family, creating it and nearby Halebidu favored tourist destinations in Karnataka state. These temple complexes are projected to be listed under unesco World Heritage Sites.
History of Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple:
           
                   The Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 AD. scholars are divided regarding the explanations for the construction of the temple. The military successes of Vishnuvardhana is considered a probable reason. Some scholars believe Vishnuvardhana commissioned the temp to surpass his master, King Vikramaditya VI of the Western Chalukya Empire (who ruled from Basavakalyan), when his initial military victories against the Chalukyas. according to another theory, Vishnuvardhana was celebrating his famous victory against the Chola family of Tamil country in the battle of Talakad (1116 AD), that resulted in the annexation of Gangavadi (modern southern Karnataka) by the Hoysalas. Another theory points to Vishnuvardhana’s conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism (a sect of Hinduism) when coming under the influence of saint Ramanujacharya, considering this is a preponderantly Vaishnava temple in sculptural picture. The Hoysalas used many noted architects and artisans who developed a new architectural tradition, that critic Adam Hardy called the Karnata Dravida tradition. in all 118 inscriptions are recovered from the Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple complex, covering the period 1117 AD to the 18th century, giving historians details of the artists used, grants created to the temple and renovations committed during later times.
 
Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple complex:
                   
               The main entrance to the Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple complex is topped by a Rayagopura (superstructure over entrance) built during the days of the Vijayanagar empire. inside the complex, the Chennakesava temple is at the centre, facing east, and is flanked by the Kappe Channigraya temple on its right, and a small Sowmyanayaki (form of the god Lakshmi) temple set slightly back. On its left, also set slightly back is the Ranganayaki (Andal) temple. 2 main sthambha (pillar) exist here. The pillar facing the main temple, the Garuda (eagle) sthambha was erected in the Vijayanagar period whereas the pillar on the right, the Deepa sthambha (pillar with lamp) dates from the Hoysala period. this is the primary nice Hoysala temple, though according to the critic and student Settar, the creative idiom and signature is still Western Chalukyan. Hence, the over-decoration that is seen in later Hoysala temples (including the Hoysaleswara temple at Halebidu and the Keshava temple at Somanathapura) isn’t visible here. according to Settar, during later years, the Hoysala art took an inclination towards craft, with a weakness for detail.The Chennakesava temple has 3 entrances and their doorways have adorned sculptures called dvarapalaka (doorkeepers) on either aspect. while the Kappe Channigraya temple is smaller than the Chennakesava temple, it’s architecturally vital, though it lacks any sculptural features. The Kappe Chennigraya temple became a dvikuta (two shrined temple) with the later addition of a shrine to its original plan. the first shrine has a asteroid plan while the additional shrine is a simple square. The image inside is also that of Kesava ( a kind of the god Krishna) and was commissioned by Shantala Devi, the noted queen of King Vishnuvardhana
 
Artists of Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple:
            The Hoysala artists, in contrast to other medieval artists, preferred to sign their work in the shape of inscriptions. In doing so, they generally revealed fascinating details about themselves, their families, guilds and place of origin. Stone inscriptions and copper plate inscriptions give more information about them. Ruvari Mallitamma was a prolific artist to whom quite 40 sculptures are attributed. Dasoja and his son Chavana who were from Balligavi in modern Shimoga district made important contributions. Chavana is attributable with the work on 5 madanikas and Dasoja accomplished four of them. Malliyanna and Nagoja created birds and animals in their sculptures. Artists like Chikkahampa and Malloja are attributable with a number of the sculptures in the mantapa.

Chandragiri Hill

             Chandragiri is one of the 2 hills in Shravanabelagola in the Indian state of Karnataka, the other one being Vindhyagiri. and Chandragiri Hill
 History of chandragiri Hill:

               The recorded history surrounding Capitol Hill started in 300 B.C. once Shruthakevali, Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta Maurya visited the place so as to realize religious peace. The small Hill derives its name of Chandra from the particular fact that Chandragupta was the first of the rishis who lived and performed penance there.
                Kalbappu was the primary name of Capitol Hill and it dominates the history of the town of Shravanabelagola between third century B.C. and 12th century AD. The Jainism traditions link the Maurya Empire Emperor Chandragupta and his teacher Bhadrabahu with this place. Of the entire style of 106 memorials found at Shravanabelagola, 92 are located on the small Hill. Of these, concerning 47 memorials of monks, 9 of nuns, and 5 of householders belong to the 7th and 8th century. This points out at the recognition of the custom, and of its thorough prevalence on the small Hill.
             The Chandragiri Hills is located concerning 3049 feet from mean water level and 200 feet from the on high of the lowest level and is located in the northwest entrance of the city. a massive expanse of granite rock, scatted large and small boulders are often found on the way to the height.
Chandragiri and Vindhyagiri, Chandragiri  Acharya Bhadrabahu and his pupil Chandragupta Maurya are believed to possess meditated there. Chandragupta Basadi that was dedicated to Chandragupta Maurya was originally designed there byAshoka in the third century B.C… Chandragiri also has memorials to various monks and Śrāvakas who have meditated there since the fifth century AD, as well as the last king of the Rashtrakuta family of Manyakheta. Chandragiri also has a noted temple built by Chavundaraya, who was an admirer of Nemichandra.

                    The 57-feet tall monolithic sculpture of Gommateshvara is located on Vindyagiri Hill. it’s considered to be the world’s largest monolithic stone sculpture. the lowest of the sculpture has AN inscriptions in Kannada as well because the oldest proof of written Marathi, i.e. devnagari script, dating from 981 AD. The inscription praises the king who funded the effort and his general, Chavundaraya, who erected the sculpture for his mother. every twelve years, thousands of devotees congregate here to perform theMahamastakabhisheka, a spectacular ceremony during that the statue is covered with milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins.The next Mahamastakabhisheka will be control in 2018.

kudala sangameshwara Temple

             Kudalasangama in India is an important center of pilgrimage for folks of the Lingayat religion. it’s located concerning 15 kilometer (9 mi) from the Almatti Dam in Bagalkot district of Karnataka state. TheKrishna and Malaprabha stream rivers merge here and flow east towards Srisaila (another pilgrim center) in Andhra Pradesh. TheAikya Mantapa or the holy Samādhi of Basavanna, the founder of the Lingayat religion together with Linga, that is believed to be self-born (Swayambhu), is here. The Kudala Sangama Development Board takes care of the maintenance and development.

 

kudala sangameshwara Temple HIstory:

                       An inscription in the temple of 1213 A.D. records a gift to the god Acheshvara. Another stone record of 1160 A.D. refers to land grant to deities, Kaleshvara and Achesvara.
It is believed that in the 12th century Jathaveda Muni Sarangamath had established AN education centre here and Basaveshvara, Channabasavanna and Akkanagamma were students. Basaveshvara spent his childhood here and, after his come back from Kalyana, he’s said to have became one with the God at this place. The vachanas composed by him are dedicated to the presiding god here, Sangamanatha.

           The place is a village concerning 19 kilometer (12 mi) from Hungund. nearby is the holy pilgrim centre and the famous temple ofSangameshvara, on the stream bank, at the confluence of the Krishna and the Malaprabha rivers. once it had been called Kappadi sangama where Basaveshwara’s teacher Ishanaguru lived.
The kudala sangameshwara Temple consists of a structure, navaranga and the main shrine. The idols of Basaveshvara, Neelamma, Nandi and Ganapathi are placed in the navaranga. The door frame of the garbhagriha is richly carved with floral designs and animal figures. in the shrine is the linga famed as Sangameshvara or Sangamanatha. In front of the temple, in the inside of the stream, is a little stone mantapa with a Shivalinga in it, and lofty cement concrete dry well has been built around it to protect it from submersion.

        On the east, across the river Krishna, stands the Neelamma’s temple. She was the consort of Basaveshvara. Here built a high cement concrete dry well has been designed round the structure to protect it from the waters.

Murudeshwar Temple

Murudeshwar is a city in the Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India. "Murudeshwara" is another name of the Hindu god Shiva. known for the world’s second tallest Shiva sculpture, Murudeshwar beach city lies on the coast of the sea and is additionally known for the Murudeshwar Temple. the nearest airport to Murudeshwar Temple is Mangalore International airport at distance of 160 kilometer . Murudeshwar has train station on Konkan railway route.



Murudeshwar Temple History:

Murudeshwara The origin of the name "Murudeshwara" dates to the time of Ramayana. The Lanka King Ravana needed to achieve immortality by getting the AtmaLingam (Soul of Shiva). Till now the Atma Lingam contain to Lord Shiva, Ravana prayed Shiva with devotion, Lord Shiva has Happy by his prayers Shiva appeared before him and asked him what he needed. By this time Narada had asked Lord Vishnu to change Ravana’s mind. At the time Ravana asks for god Parvati (shiva’s wife) and Lord Shiva provide her to him, He started to go back to Lanka Narada tells Ravana that Lord had not given him the real Parvathi and that the real Parvathi was in Pathala (another place).

That time Ravana frees his decision, goes to Pathala lokam and marries a king’s daughter, forward her to be the real Parvathi. He then back to went Lanka, where his mother asks him for the Atma Lingam. Ravana then involves know of the tricks contend on him by Lord Vishnu. He thus prays to Lord Shiva once again, requesting for his forgiveness. And the Lord Shiva appears and this point, Ravana requests the AtmaLinga as his boon. Lord Shiva agrees to offer him the boon with the condition that it should ne’er be placed on the bottom. If the AtmaLinga was ever placed on the bottom, all the powers would come back to Lord Shiva again. Ravana started back with Atmalingam his journey to Lanka.

Sage Narada, who came to know of this occasion, and recognize that with the AtmaLinga Ravana may get immortality and make mayhem on earth. He approached the Lord Ganesha and requested him to prevent the AtmaLinga from reaching Lanka. Lord Ganesh knew that Ravana was a really devoted one that used to perform prayer ritual in the evening each day while not fail. He decided to create use of this fact and came up with an idea to confiscate the AtmaLinga from Ravana.

As Ravana was nearing Gokarna, Lord Vishnu destroyed the sun to offer the appearance of dusk. Ravana currently had to perform his evening ceremony however were disturbed as a result of with the AtmaLinga in his hands and he wouldn’t be able to do his ceremony. At this time Lord Ganesha (son of Lord Shiva) in the disguise of a Brahmin boy accosted him. Ravana requested the kid to hold the AtmaLinga till he performed his rituals, and asked him not to place it on the bottom. Ganesh stricken a deal with him saying that he would call Ravana thrice, and if Ravana didn’t return inside that time and he would place the AtmaLinga on the Earth.

As foretold, before Ravana might come back when finishing his rituals, Ganesh had already placed the AtmaLinga on the Earth. And Lord Vishnu then removed his phantom and it had been daylight again. And Ravana thinking that he tried to remove and destroy it. Because of the force apply by Ravana some items were gather. One such piece from the top of the lingam is said to have fallen in present day Surathkal. The famed Sadashiva temple is claimed to be built around that piece of linga. Then he decided to crash the covering of the AtmaLingam, nowadays the place has called Sajjeshwara, 23 miles away. Then he threw the lid of the case to an area known as Guneshwara (now Gunavanthe) and Dhareshwara, 10 to 12 miles away, finally he threw the material covering the AtmaLinga to an area known as Mrideshwara in Kanduka-Giri (Kanduka Hill).

And Mrideshwara has been renamed to Murudeshwar. Murudeshwar Temple there’s an outline of this story below the Shiva idol in the type of a cave may be a town in Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the Karnataka state, India. Murudeshwar Temple is another name of the Hindu god Lord Shiva. Famed for the world’s second tallest Shiva sculpture, the town lies on the coast of the Arabian Sea and is also famed for the Murudeshwara Temple. Murudeshwara has railroad station on Konkan railway route.


Murudeshwar Temple Arhcitecture:
Murudeshwara Temple Raja Gopuram:

This Murudeshwar Temple is made on the Kanduka Hill that is surrounded on 3 sides by the waters of the Arabian Sea. it’s dedicated to Shiva, and a 20-storied gopura is built at the Murudeshwara temple. The Murudeshwara temple rights have installed a carry that gives a breath-taking view of the 123-feet Shiva idol from the highest of the Raja gopura. And one more additional a Rameshwar linga at the lowest of the Hill, where devotees will do seva themselves. And Shaneswara temple has been build next to the idol of Shiva. 2 life-size elephants in concrete stand sentinel at the steps leading to it. The whole murudeshwara temple complex and as well as the 237.5-feet-tall Raja Gopuram, is one of the tallest in India, that rajagopuram was made to its present type by businessperson and presenter R. N. Shetty.

The Murudeshwar Temple is entirely modernised with exception of the sanctum sanctorum that is still dark and retains its calm. The main god is Sri Mridesa Linga, also known as Murudeswara. The linga is believed to be a bit of the first Atma Linga and is concerning 2 feet below ground level. And the peoples providing special sevas like Abhisheka, Rudrabhisheka, Rathotsava etc. The god view by standing before the edge of the sanctum and the lingam is lighted by oil lamps control nearest the monks. And The Shiva lingam is actually a hard rock inside a hollowed spot in the ground. Entry into the sanctum is illegal for all devotees.



Murudeshwar Temple Shiva Statue:

The large high sculpture of Lord Shiva view from long place also, this is present in the temple complex. It’s the second highest sculpture of Lord Shiva in the world. The tallest Shiva statue is in Nepal called the (Kailashnath Mahadev Statue) The shiva statue is 123 feet (37 m) tall and took concerning 2 years to make. The Murudeshwar Temple shiva statue was built by Shivamogga’s Kashinath and several other sculptors, supported by businessperson and presenter R.N. Shetty, at a cost of roughly 50 million Rs. The idol is designed such it gets the sunlight directly and so appears sparkling. Really the Murudeshwar Temple Shiva statue had four arms and it was adorned with gold paint. However large blow gusts blew one arm off (the one that held little drum), and rain melt the paint.

Murudeshwar Temple is the great historical temple and this temple looking very nice constructed. And mostly Murudeshwar Temple shiva statue is very attractive in this place this statue is looking 4 km surrounding this place. Many more peoples come from different places to this Murudeshwar Temple place. Because this temple place is near see and this place looking beautiful beach, Murudeshwar Temple has very big attractive Tower (Gopuram) this Gopuram is very large and very tall. Mostly this place looking tourism attraction, Karnataka Tourism Department taken this place. And providing here accommodation and hotels also.



Murudeshwar Temple Timings:

Mornings 5 am to night 9 pm in festival days extend this some more time. And Murudeshwar Temple Accommodation providing who visit this place pilgrims, visitors and this is nice tourism place also.

Saundatti Fort

Saundatti Taluk is located towards the southeast part of Belgaum. Taluka Head quarter is concerning 83 kilometer form the District headquarters. previously taluk was called Parasagad. the whole geographic region of the taluka is 1659.00 kms. There are 426 revenue villages and 14 hamlets. according to the 2011 Census Population of Saundatti city is 41,215. city Municipal Council Saundatti Yallamma is constituted in 1876. Saundatti is capital of Ratta (Emporar) in the period 930 to 1230. Historical Saundatti Fort is located on western part of the town.



Saundatti Fort History:
 The historical name of the Savadatti was " Sugandavarti " "Sougandipura". it was the capital of the Ratta family (from 875-1230), till the capital shifted to Belgaum.

During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, Belagaon (Belgaum) was the capital of the Rattas, the chieftains of Savadatti. This Fort was engineered by Bichiraja (Ratta Dynasty) in 1204. The Ratta clan was one of many that came out of the" Rashtrakuta family ". Rattas of Savadatti accepted the spot of Taila II (AD 973-977). Two of the pillars at Fort have South Dravidian inscriptions in Devanagari, one inscription from around 1199 is attributed to the Ratta king Kartaveerya IV.

5 kms from saundatti holly pilgrim places god  Jogalabhavi(pushkarni) temple, Sogal Someshwar temple, 2nd Kashi name of Hooli 100 Temples, 100 open wells. Shirasangi Lingaraj Desai Palace in Shirasangi. Pilgrims from everywhere Karnataka, Andhara Pradesh, Temilnadu and Goa come to Shri Yallamma temple to worship the god. From the month of October to April there’s a fair of god Shri Yallamma, a large population of devotes came here at this time. Here devotees have revered her as the "Mother of Universe" or Jagadamba.