Saturday, February 18, 2012

Rock Concert - Nandieswara Temple - Nandi Hills

an

The Bhoganandeeswara Temple



Nandi Hills is 60 km from Bangalore past the Bangalore International Airport. This is a popular weekend destination for many, provided one is prepared to lug food and other goodies for a taste of clean country air and pristine landscape. At the foot hills is the Bhoganandeeswara Temple.


This is a beautiful piece of architecture with an eclectic mix of styles from the Cholas, the Vijaynagar empire to the Hoysalas. In spite of the temple having evolved over centuries, it is defenitely one of the finest temples in Karnataka today

The temple was built by Ratnavalli a queen from the Bana Dynasty. The Banas were vassals of the Cholas and Pandyas. However the Banas only claim to fame was Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan, the hero of Kalki's magnum opus "Ponniyan Selvan" who was of Bana(Vanar) descent.

The sanctum has a large lingam and a sculpture of the chola king sitting in a meditative position can be seen in the artha mantapam. The ceiling is adorned with rich scultures.
To the left of the Nadiswar temple is the sanctum of Arunachaleswarar. Sandwiched between the 2 is a sanctum of Umamaheswara with a Kalyana mantapa in the front. This is built in soft soap stone; characteristic of the Hoysala architecture has lot intricate carvings

By the side of this complex is another Kalyana Mantapa with a huge stepped tank.

While this is declared a protected monument by the Archiological survey of India, it could do with better upkeep . All said and done this is a MUST VISIT temple.


No comments:

Post a Comment