Narasamangala Rameshvara Temple, Karnataka

Address

Narasamangala Rameshvara Temple, Narasamangala Rd, Narasamangala, Karnataka 571127

Diety

Rameshvara

Introduction

The Rameshvara Temple (also spelt Rameshwara or Ramesvara) is located in the town of Narasamangala of Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka state, India. The temple was constructed during the 9th century rule of the Western Ganga Dynasty of Talakad The temple plan is simple, yet it has a unique superstructure (tower or shikara) that is made of brick and stucco. The temple is in dilapidated condition. The vimana (shrine with tower) is eleven meters tall and stands on a platform of moldings (called adhishthana) that is two meters high This temple built during the Ganga period is assignable to the 9th century AD. An inscription engraved on two slabs to the south of the temple refers to Hoysala Viraballala III and certain grants made by him to the god Ramanatha Deva of Narasamangala. The temple facing east has a spacious garbhagriha, a narrow ardhamandapa and mahamandapa. It is a tritala Dravida vimana. The navaranga ceiling has Nataraja surrounded by dikpalas. One of the striking images here is that of a king seated in state and his queen standing beside him. Behind the temple in a hall are placed life size saptamatrika images. They are exquisitely carved, beautiful and remarkable for their workmanship.