Hire Hadagali Kalleshwara Temple, Karnataka

Address

Kalleshwara Temple Bagali, Karnataka 583131

Diety

Kalleshwara Amman: Parvati

Introduction

Kalleshvara temple (also spelt Kallesvara or Kalleshwara) ( Kallesvara temple ruins in Ghattadahalli, is located in the town of Bagali (called Balgali in ancient inscriptions) near to Harpanahalli town in the Davangere district of Karnataka state, India

Puranic Significance

The construction of the temple has a historical timeline that spans the rule of two significant Kannada dynasties. It began during the mid-10th century under the Rashtrakuta Dynasty. Later, during the reign of King Tailapa II, also known as Ahava Malla, around the year 987 AD, further work and consecration of the temple took place. King Tailapa II belonged to the Western Chalukya Empire, also referred to as the Later or Kalyani Chalukya dynasty. The temple’s consecration ceremony was conducted by an individual named Duggimayya.

Special Features

The temple plan consists of several structures, showcasing a blend of architectural styles from different periods. It includes a main shrine dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, featuring a sanctum (cella or garbhagriha) facing east, a vestibule (antechamber or antarala), and a central closed hall (mahamantapa) with entrances on the south and east sides. These structures are attributed to the 10th-century Rashtrakuta rule. The closed hall is preceded by a spacious open gathering hall (sabhamandapa) supported by fifty intricately designed lathe-turned pillars, which also support a decorative ceiling. Additionally, there is a shrine dedicated to the Sun god Surya, complete with a hall (mukhamandapa) facing east-west, and a small shrine dedicated to Narasimha, a form of the Hindu god Vishnu, situated to the north of the gathering hall. These constructions are associated with the Western Chalukya rule.

In total, there are eight small shrines built around the main shrine. Among the fifty pillars, twenty-four are positioned over the platform (jagati), which includes a balcony seating area (kakshasana). The doorways, particularly the eastern doorway facing the Nandi (the bull, a companion of the Hindu god Shiva), and the southern doorway providing access to the closed hall, are intricately decorated. Within the closed hall, several independent sculptures from the late Chalukyan period can be found. These sculptures include representations of Shiva, Umamahesvara (Shiva with his consort Parvati), Ganesha, Kartikeya, Surya, Anantasayana (the god Vishnu seated on a snake), Sarasvati, and Mahishamardini.