Tandaga Chennakeshava Temple – Karnataka

Address

Tandaga Chennakeshava Temple – Karnataka

Tandaga, Turuvekere taluk,

Tumkur district,

Karnataka 572224

Moolavar

Chennakeshava

Introduction

“Tandaga” is a small village located in Turuvekere taluk, Tumkur district, Karnataka. The Chennakeshava temple built in Tandaga by the Hoysalas in the12th century AD. The temple seems very simple in its external features but it’s very rich in sculptures. The temple has mainly consisting of Garbagriha, Antarala, Navaranga & and small Mukha mantapa. The outer wall of the temple has almost plain, two Dvarapalakas in door adorning it. An exquisitely carved stone railing or parapet adorned with intricately carved flower images and other relief flanks the Navaranga. In this temple also, the walls of the Navaranga have two niches for images. The sanctum has a rather plain ceiling. But the large pedestal has a beautiful statue of Lord Chennakeshava.

Puranic Significance

As per the legend, after the completion of the temple, as a practice, all the sculptors took blessings of the Lord in the temple. It happened so that one of the sculptors turned into a stone after completing the Chennakeshava Temple in Tandaga. The Gods were pleased with his dedication towards the construction of the temple and blessed that he will remain a part of the temple.

The temple seems very simple in its external features but is very rich in its interiors. It is basically an Ekakuta temple, housing a beautiful idol of Chennakeshava. The idol is very admirable. There are nine different types of ceilings in the main hall. The door frames and pillars are extensively carved.