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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ramanuja dasargaL <enthralling_archa@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: 01-Feb-2007 21:21
Subject: Wonderful Belavadi temple of Karnataka
To: enthralling-archa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


SrI:

Dear SrIvaishnavas,

http://www.pbase.com/svami/belavadi&view=slideshow 

These are extraordinary pictures from SrI. L.Sridhar of Bangalore.
(Lakshminarasimhan Sridhar katandethiandavaneluperan@xxxxxxxxx ) .


The Contact detials are:
Sri Srinivasamurthy
Archakar,
Sri Veera Narayana Temple
Belavadi,
Chikkamagalur District
Pin:577146
tel:0826-2242415




Please see a report from Deccan Herald (9th May-2006) on this
well-maintained hoysala style temple of Belavadi.(Karnataka). 

Thanks, DECCAN HERALD 

-Ramanuja Dasargal

----------------------------------------------------------

Belavadi exudes Hoysala's beauty 

Veeranarayana temple at Belavadi village is one of the few well-maintained 
monuments of the Hoysala era, writes I Sesunathan. 


Hoysala temples form an important part of Indian architecture. During the
Hoysala period there was a remarkable growth of architectural and cultural
activity. The Hoysala architecture encapsulates the glorious tradition of
Karnataka. Most of the Hoysala monuments are found in the old Mysore
territory. 

Belavadi is a small village situated 29 kilometres south east of Chikmagalur 
on Chikmagalur - Javagal Highway and 10 kilometres North West of Halebid.
Legend has it that the place was the ancient Ekachakranagara of the
Mahabaratha era. It is believed that Bhima slew Bakasura, a giant who 
tormented the people living in the area for a cart-load of food every day. 

The village is now popular for its Veeranarayana temple built during the
Hoysala period. This temple, declared as a protected monument, is one of the 
largest Hoysala temples. 

It is a trikutachala structure with three shrines dedicated to
Veeranarayana, Venugopala and Yoganarasimha. The temple is a fine example of
Hoysala architecture. The west side of the temple consists of a square 
garbhagriha, a sukanasi, navaranga and square mukhamantapa. 

The whole structure has been constructed on a raised platform. The
Veeranarayana shrine has a tower over the sanctum and a large stone kalasa
on the shikara. 

The navaranga has large bell shaped pillars. The ceiling of the sukhanasi is
a dome with an octagonal gallery and circles above. Inside the garbhagriha
an 8 foot Veeranarayana is placed on the Garuda pedestal. The image is 
elegantly carved and elaborately ornamented where the deity is standing in
padmasana with four hands. The idol is said to be one of the best specimens
of Hoysala art. 

The Mukhamantapa of the Veeranarayana shrine is supported by 22 pillars, 20 
of which are round bell-shaped ones and the other two are star-shaped. An
important feature of the temple is the stone bench which runs all round the
edge of the mukhamantapa. It is ornamented with rosettes and plasters. 

To the east of the temple is a sabhamantapa with sukanasi and a pair of
garbhagrihas facing each other, containing the images of Venugopala and
Yoganarasimha. 

The image of Venugopala is about 8ft in height inclusive of the Garuda 
pedestal and prabhavali. Venugopala sits cross-legged and his fingers are
lifted as if playing the flute. The image of Yoganarasimha is about 7ft
high. Prabhavali where Narasimha, seated in yogic posture, has a band carved 
around it to help keep the legs in position. The image has a fine kreeta and
protruding eyes. The towers of Venugopala and Yoganarasimha shrines are
similar to the Veeranarayana shrine and have turrets, ornamented 
keerthimukhas and varied sculptures. 

All the ceiling panels of the temple, except those of the veranda, are well
carved. 

Some of these ceilings are flat while a majority of them are dome-like
containing intricate geometrical patterns of various designs. The flat 
ceilings have the images of Krishna playing on the flute, Kalingamardhana
and Kamsavadha in different postures. 

To the east of this trikutachala temple is a large inverted cone-like
structure on a high ground with a square hall and a spacious porch. This is 
the mahadwara or the main gate-way of the temple. Both entrances of this
structure are flanked by a pair of impressively carved elephants



 
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