Brahmeshvara Temple, Kikkeri
| Brahmeshvara Temple | |
|---|---|
| Hindu temple | |
_at_Kikkeri,_Mandya_district.JPG)
The Brahmeshvara temple (1171 A.D.) at Kikkeri in Mandya district
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| Country |  India |
| State | Karnataka |
| District | Mandya District |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kannada |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
The Brahmeshvara temple (also spelt Brahmeshwara) is a fine specimen of 12th century Hoysala architecture and is located in the town of Kikkeri of Mandya district in Karnataka state, India. It is only 10 km from the historically important town of Shravanabelagola (in Hassan district). The temple was built in 1171 AD by a wealthy lady called Bommare Nayakiti during the rule of Hoysala King Narasimha I.[1] This temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.[2]
Architecture
The design of the temple is unique. the interior of the temple has been widened beyond its base by making the outer walls bulge out in a convex shape. This is a ekakuta (single shrine) construction. There is a four feet tall image of the Hindu god Shiva in one of the niches of the navaranga (hall). The madanika figures (also called salabhanjika, refers to the sculpture of a woman, displaying stylized feminine features) carved on the capitals of the pillars of the hall are works of fine art.[1]
The vimana (shrine that contains the cella) has a well executed, highly decorative and intact tower (shikhara).[3] The vestibule (called antechamber or antarala) which connects the cella to the hall has a sukhanasi (called "nose") which is actually a low protrusion of the tower over the shrine, built over the vestibule.[4] Other standard features in a Hoysala temple are the large domed roof over the tower, which is also the largest sculptural piece in a Hoysala temple (called the "helmet" or amalaka) and whose shape usually follows the that of the shrine (square or star shape); the kalasa on top of it (the decorative water-pot at the apex of the dome); and the Hoysala crest (emblem of the Hoysala warrior stabbing a lion) over the sukhanasi.[5][6]
The temple's decorative features can be said to belong to the "old kind" prevalent even before the Hoysala times. In this type of decoration, below the superstructure (tower), an eaves that projects about half a meter runs all around the temple. Below the eaves are decorative miniature towers (the aedicula) on pilasters. The large wall images of deities and their attendants are placed below these decorative towers. Below these images is the base of the wall which comprises five different horizontal moldings, one of which is a row of blocks.[6][7]
Notes
Gallery
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Dwarapalakas (door keepers to shrine) in Brahmeshvara Temple at Kikkeri.jpg
Dvarapalas (door keepers to the shrine) at Brahmeshvara temple at Kikkeri
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Brahmeshvara Temple, stellate shrine outer wall, at Kikkeri.jpg
Stellate layout of the shrine in Brahmeshvara temple at Kikkeri
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Outer wall of mantapa (hall) in Brahmeshvara Temple at Kikkeri.JPG
Relief art on outer wall of mantapa, miniature decorative towers on pilasters and Kirtimukha in Brahmeshvara temple at Kikkeri
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Wall relief and Kirtimukha (gorgoyle) in Brahmeshvara Temple at Kikkeri,.jpg
Kirtimukha, or gargoyle faces in Brahmeshvara temple at Kikkeri
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Wall relief sculpture in Brahmeshvara Temple at Kikkeri.jpg
Close up of wall relief in Brahmeshvara temple at Kikkeri
References
- Gerard Foekema, A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples, Abhinav, 1996 ISBN 81-7017-345-0
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External links
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