Narayanapur Shiva Temple – Karnataka

Address

Narayanapur Shiva Temple – Karnataka

Narayanpur, Basavakalyan Taluk,

Bidar district,

Karnataka 585327

Moolavar

Lord Shiva

Introduction

The Narayanpur Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Narayanpur Village near Basavakalyan City in Basavakalyan Taluk, Bidar District, Karnataka, India.

Historical Significance:

The Narayanpur Temple was constructed in the 12th century CE during the reign of the Western Chalukyas.
The village where the temple is located has had various names in ancient times, including Tribhuvana Tilaka Shri Rama Narayanapura, Raya Narayanapura, and Viranarayanapura.

Location:

The temple is situated approximately 4 kilometers from the Basavakalyan Bus Stand, 27 kilometers from Humnabad Railway Station, and 202 kilometers from Hyderabad Airport.
It can be found on the Basavakalyan to Mudbi route.

Architectural Features:

The temple is constructed in the trikutachala style, characterized by having three shrines.
The architecture of the temple bears similarities to the Kalmeshwar temple of Jalasangvi.
The temple comprises several sections, including the sanctum, vestibule, maha mandapa (large hall), and an entrance porch.
On either side of the temple’s entrance, two broken makara toranas (mythical sea creatures) are placed.
The maha mandapa’s ceiling is adorned with intricate floral designs and is supported by eight pillars.
The sanctum doorway is intricately carved, and it leads to the main deity, a Shiva Linga.
The exterior walls of the temple are decorated with beautiful sculptures of Salabhanjika, celestial maidens depicted in various poses.
The temple premises also contain numerous detached sculptures, including depictions of an elephant uprooting a tree, warriors, a four-armed Vinayaka (Ganesha) with his mount Mushika (mouse), and various gods and goddesses from the Hindu pantheon.
Some of these sculptures have been incorporated into a newly built wall.
Within the temple premises, there is also a modern Navagraha shrine dedicated to the nine planetary deities, as well as a well and a dilapidated ancient temple located nearby.

The Narayanpur Temple is not only a place of worship but also a treasure trove of ancient art and history, showcasing the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the Western Chalukya dynasty in Karnataka.