Magala Sri Suryanarayana Temple, Karnataka

Address

Magala Sri Suryanarayana Temple, Magala, Bellery district Karnataka 583216

Diety

Suryanarayana

Introduction

Magala village situated in Hadagali taluk of Bellery district is famous for Kalyana Chalukyan temples. One such temple is the Suryanarayana Temple constructed in 1209 A.D. by Sameyada Garuda Marmmarasa of Magala. This temple is an ornate Chalukyan structure of great architectural merit.

Puranic Significance

The Suryanarayana Temple is located canter of the village. This temple is a Trikutachala or a temple with three Garbhagrihas housing the gods Somanatha, Venugopala and Surya. The main western Garbhagriha has a standing Venugopala (Prasanna Kesava) of 3 feet in height holding Sanka, Chakra and flute on another two hands which is profusely embellished with delicate carvings of great workmanship. The Garbhagriha on the east accommodates a beautiful sculpture of Surya of the Chalukya period which is a rare specimen. The ceiling of the Mantapa is divided in twelve parts and each part divided into twelve compartments. The central ceiling has a large lotus with beautiful ornamentation and in the centre is a hanging lotus bud. The ceiling of the Mantapa is described as one of the finest among Chalukyan monuments. The four pillars are in form of half pillars supported on these benches. The Navaranga and the Mukhamantapa are joined together forming a large hall consisting of ten pillars. The walls have niches in the Sabhamandapa containing images of dancing gods. The ceilings of the temple are exquisitely carved and varied. They depict Kirtimukhas issuing scrolls filled with lotus and flying gandharvas, dikpalas, flowers and composite mythical animals.