Pattadakal Mallikarjuna Temple, Karnataka

Address

Pattadakal Mallikarjuna Temple, Pattadakal Group of Monuments, Bagalkot District Pattadakal, Karnataka 587201

Deity

Mallikarjuna

Introduction

The Mallikarjuna Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is an important monument located in Pattadakal, Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India. It is part of the prestigious Pattadakal Group of Monuments, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Puranic Significance:

The Mallikarjuna Temple is also referred to as the Trailokeswara Maha Saila Prasada in local inscriptions.
It is a Shiva temple believed to date back to the mid-8th century.
The temple was commissioned by Queen Trailokyamahadevi.
It is situated in close proximity to other significant temples, including the Kashi Vishwanatha temple to the north, the Sangameswara temple to the northeast, and the nearby Virupaksha Temple.
The temple holds historical and religious importance and is legally protected under Indian law.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the maintenance and preservation of this temple.

Special Features:

The Mallikarjuna Temple is an excellent example of fully developed South Indian vimana-style architecture.
It features a sanctum that houses a Shiva Linga, with a circumambulatory path for devotees to walk around.
In front of the sanctum, there is an antechamber containing empty shrines dedicated to Durga as Mahishasuramardini and Ganesha on either side.
Access to the sanctum is provided through a pillared community hall with entrance porches, enclosures, and a gateway.
The temple complex includes three mukhamandapas (main halls) and a partially collapsed Nandi (bull) mandapa.
While it shares some architectural elements with the nearby Virupaksha temple, the Mallikarjuna Temple incorporates distinct features, such as a hemispherical amalaka (decorative stone disk) instead of a four-sided one, and a parapet with specific architectural elements.
The temple’s niches are adorned with intricate carvings that depict stories and legends from various Hindu traditions, including Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism.

Stone Carvings:

The temple’s mukhamandapas and pillars are decorated with impressive stone carvings that depict scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Panchatantra.
The temple’s ceiling features exquisite figurative carvings, including elephants supporting it in the Mahamandapam.
Friezes in the temple showcase stories like the rasa leela of Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana and fables from the Panchatantra.
The temple also incorporates artha (economic) scenes, such as depictions of a worker with an elephant carrying a log, along with scenes featuring single women displaying various emotional expressions, one of them holding an 8th-century musical instrument.

In summary, the Mallikarjuna Temple, while sharing similarities with the Virupaksha temple, stands out for its unique architectural elements and intricate stone carvings that narrate stories from Hindu epics and Puranas. It is a significant cultural and artistic treasure that offers visitors a rich and immersive experience.