Ambali Kalleshvara Temple - Karnataka

Address

Ambali Kalleshvara Temple – Karnataka

Ambli, Bellary district,

Karnataka 583134

Moolavar

Kalleshvara

Introduction

Kalleshvara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Ambali Town in Bellary District in Karnataka State, India. Ambali is located off the Kottur – Hadagali main road, about 12 km from Kotturu towards Hadagali.

Puranic Significance

According to an Old Kannada inscription found in the Sabha Mandapam, the construction of the temple can be attributed to the reign of King Vikramaditya VI of the Western Chalukya dynasty, dating back to the 12th century. The temple is built following the architectural style associated with the Western Chalukyas.

Special features

The temple is a single shrine construction made primarily of soapstone. The original superstructure above the shrine is no longer present, but the temple retains a simple yet elegant appearance, especially in its fine interiors. Facing east, the temple consists of a sanctum, an antechamber connecting the sanctum to a gathering hall (Sabha Mandapam), which is preceded by a main hall (Mukha Mandapam).In the Sabha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam, the square bases of the pillars are adorned with characteristic relief decorations depicting various deities such as Surya, Bhairava, and Durga. The Garbagriha, or sanctum, houses a Shivalinga and features an intricately designed pancha-shaka (five-jamb) door frame adorned with patterns of lozenges, creepers, musicians, dancers, birds, lions, and elephants. The door jambs are guarded by Dwarapalakas (doorkeepers) attended by Rati and Manmatha.

The lintel of the Garbagriha displays a beautifully sculpted Gajalakshmi flanked by elephants on either side. The threshold of the front door is decorated with a moon-stone or semi-circular stone slab (chandrasila). The doorway to the antarala (sukhanasi/vestibule) features intriguing perforated screens adorned with lozenge flowers, and its door jambs are adorned with sculptures of Dwarapalakas.

The lintel of the antarala depicts a striking carving of Nataraja, the Lord of Dance, who is accompanied by goddess Parvati and attendants, including Lords Vishnu and Lakshmi, along with Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswathi. The Ashtadik-palakas (guardians of the eight directions) are mounted on their respective vahanas (vehicles/mounts) on either side of the lintel, and the depiction concludes with stylized makaras at the ends.

The exterior walls of the sanctum feature friezes with miniature carvings of lions, elephants, and makaras, along with strings of pearl tassels. Three finely carved miniature shikaras are positioned on the three walls of the Garbagriha. The moulded adhisthana (base) has indentations leading up to the walls, transitioning into a manch-bandha pattern with projections that carry niches. These niches are adorned with Dravida turrets supported by slender pilasters.

References

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/01/kalleshvara-temple-ambali-karnataka.html