Poetry in Stone - 22

This is twenty-second in the series on the rich cultural heritage of ancient temples in India. The ancient temples are richly carved and they behold ones attention for their craftsmanship. 

The external walls of the 10th century Amrutesvara Temple, Amruthapura are beautifully carved various patterns. The symmetry in the design at the corner is very exclusive.

In the 16th century Aghoreshwara Temple of Ikkeri there are many beautiful sculptures. One such sculpture of Lord just outside the main sanctum that has been carved out with utmost care.

The external walls of 10th century Mukteshwar Temple at Bhubaneshwar has been carved at every inch. On the wall above there are patterns, snake design, humans have been carved beautifully.

On the left is sculpture of elephants with lions on top of it at the bottom of a pillar near the entrance of Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneshwar. On the right is a carving of musicians on the top of the Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli.

Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli

On our Hoysala trail we visited an offbeat small village Doddagaddavalli. This village is known for Lakshmi Devi Temple a 12th century temple. This magnificent temple is lesser known when compared to the more prominent temples at Belur and Halebidu. 

This temple was commissioned on the side of a large pond by Kallahana Rahuta, a high officer in the Hoysala court and his wife Sahaja Devi. It is built using soapstone. Like other Hoysala temple, this temple does not stand on a platform. This is one of the earliest Hoysala style temples. The main shrines are located within a high walled compound. At the four corners of the walls are four smaller shrines.

The main temple is located at the center of the compound. In fact this temple has four shrines facing each other and sharing the common hall within the temple. The shrines contain deities, Lakshmi, Siva, Vishnu and Kali. The two entrances to the temple are located in this oblong hall.

The ceiling of the central hall are beautifully carved. At the eight cardinal quarters of the ceilings are carved with the guardian deities of the respective directions. 

The east facing entrance has two beautifully carved Dwarapalakas on either side.