Pattadakal Sri Kadasiddheswara Temple, Karnataka

Address

Pattadakal Sri Kadasiddheswara Temple, Pattadakal, Pattadakal Group of Monuments, Karnataka 587201

Deity

Kadasiddheswara

Introduction

The Kadasiddheswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and located in Pattadakal, Karnataka, India, is a part of the prestigious Pattadakal Group of Monuments, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Puranic Significance:

The Kadasiddheswara Temple is a significant ancient temple constructed during the reign of the Chalukya Empire. The temple is dated to the mid-7th century by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Special Features:

The temple is relatively small in size and faces east. It is built around a square garbha griha (sacred sanctum) where a Shiva Linga is enshrined on a pitha (platform). Outside the sanctum, there is a Nandi bull statue that faces the Linga. The temple complex comprises a mandapa (hall) that surrounds the sanctum and another mandapa that provides a circumambulation path, creating an expanded axial layout.
Over the years, the temple has suffered erosion and damage. The temple’s Shikhara (spire) follows a northern Nagara style, also known as Rekhanagara, and it features a sukanasa projection on the east side. The sukanasa itself contains a damaged image of Nataraja, a representation of Lord Shiva in his cosmic dance form, accompanied by Parvati.
The outer walls of the Kadasiddheswara sanctum are adorned with various sculptures. Notable representations include:
- Ardhanarishvara on the north side, depicting the composite form of Shiva and Parvati.
- Harihara on the west side, combining the features of Shiva and Vishnu.
- Lakulisha on the south side.
- At the entrance to the sanctum, there are sculptures of Shiva and Parvati, flanked by Brahma and Vishnu on either side.
- The steps leading to the sanctum entrance are flanked by the river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, along with their attendants.
The Kadasiddheswara Temple shares architectural and stylistic similarities with the Hucchimalli Gudi shrine in Aihole, both in terms of its ground plan and the period of its construction. These temples provide valuable insights into the architectural and sculptural styles of their time, serving as important historical and cultural landmarks within the Pattadakal Group of Monuments.