Sri Lakshminarasimha Devastana, Javagal

Javagal was the fourth item of our sunrise to sunset tour of Sept-17th. It was quarter past eleven when reached Sri Lakshminarasimha Devastana. While one source says this temple was built by the ninth Hoysala king Veera Someshwara between 1240 and 1260 CE, the ASI board says it was built by king Vishnuvardhana. But it's a Hoysala monument, that's for sure.

Here's the temple's Mahadwara, a typical feature of Vijayanagara times. Probably this gateway was erected during Vijayanagara rule. The gateway is large enough to let an elephant pass through speaking of which check out the stone elephants flanking the door.

A closer look at the elephant idols featuring heavy jewelry.

Sridhar and I go around the temple enclosure which consists of our structures- two temples and two mantapas. This is the rear view of the secondary temple.

A diagonal view of the secondary temple.

This is a view of the main temple which happens to be a Trikutachala. The structure has all the features of a Hoysala creation... built on a platform, richly decorated layered walls and a pyramidal Shikhara.

To the right edge of the enclosure is this pillared hall which could be a Kalyana Mantapa i.e. a wedding hall.

At the northwestern corner of the enclosure is this small ancient structure which seems to be a shelter for travelers. The structure's design is close to the main temple i.e. the platform and pillars seem to of that time.

After a quick walk around we enter the enclosure. The Mahadwara is an imposing structure. Also there are two Stambhas here, Garuda Stambha between the Mahadwara and the main temple, and the second one to the side.

A front diagonal view of the secondary temple. We didn't really check this out. I feel this is an inactive temple.

Here's the main temple. The entrance is guarded by doorkeepers Jaya and Vijaya. 

A board planted here describes the monument as follows:

ಆಯುಕ್ತರು ಪ್ರಾಚ್ಯವಸ್ತು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಾಲಯಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಪರಂಪರೆ ಇಲಾಖೆ ಮೈಸೂರು
ಶ್ರೀ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ನರಸಿಂಹ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ ಜಾವಗಲ್, ಅರಸೀಕೆರೆ (ತಾ) ಹಾಸನ.
ಜಾವಗಲ್ನ ಶ್ರೀ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನರಸಿಂಹ ದೇವಾಲಯವು ಹೊಯ್ಸಳರ ಕಾಲದ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ದೇವಾಲಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು. ಈ ದೇವಾಲಯವನ್ನು ಹೊಯ್ಸಳ ದೊರೆ ವಿಷ್ಣುವರ್ಧನ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದನು. ಈ ದೇವಾಲಯವು ತ್ರಿಕೂಟ ದೇವಾಲಯವಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ದೇವಾಲಯವನ್ನು ನಕ್ಷತ್ರಾಕಾರದ ವೇದಿಕೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಲಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಇದು ಮೂರು ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹಗಳು, ನವರಂಗ ಹಾಗೂ ಮುಖಮಂಟಪವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೇಶವ, ಬಲಭಾಗದ ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹದಲ್ಲಿ ಗೋಪಾಲ, ಎಡಭಾಗದ ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹದಲ್ಲಿ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನರಸಿಂಹನ ಮೂರ್ತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾಪಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಅಧೀನ ದೇವಾಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಇರಿಸಲಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನರಸಿಂಹನನ್ನು ಮುಖ್ಯ ದೇವರೆಂದು ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹದ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ದೇವಕೋಷ್ಠಗಳಲ್ಲಿ (ಗೂಡುಗಳು) ಗಣೇಶ ಮತ್ತು ಮಹಿಷಮರ್ಧಿನಿಯ ಶಿಲ್ಪಗಳನ್ನು ಕೆತ್ತಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಮುಖಮಂಟಪದಲ್ಲಿನ ಕಣಶಿಲೆಯಿಂದ
ಮಾಡಿದ ಮಹಾದ್ವಾರ ಹಾಗು ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ದೇವಾಲಯವನ್ನು ಮುಖ್ಯ ದೇವಾಲಯಕ್ಕೆ ಸೇರ್ಪಡಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ನವರಂಗದ ದ್ವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ದ್ವಾರಪಾಲಕ ಶಿಲ್ಪಗಳಿವೆ ಮತ್ತು ನವರಂಗದ ಉತ್ತರಾಂಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಳಿಯ ಮರ್ಧನದ ಕೆತ್ತನೆ ಕಂಡುಬಂದಿದೆ. ದಕ್ಷಿಣದ ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹದಲ್ಲಿ ಆರು ಅಡಿ ಎತ್ತರದ ವೇಣುಗೋಪಾಲನ ಮೂರ್ತಿ ಇದೆ. ಉತ್ತರದ ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹದಲ್ಲಿ ಗರುಡ ಪೀಠದ ಮೇಲಿರುವ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನರಸಿಂಹನ ಮೂರ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದ್ದು ಇದರ ಮುಂದೆ ಗರುಡನ ಮೂರ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಕೆತ್ತಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹವು ಒಂದೇ ಚಪ್ಪಡಿಯಿಂದ ಕೆತ್ತಿದ ಕಮಲ ಗುಮ್ಮಟವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದೆ. ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ವಿಷ್ಣುವಿನ ಶ್ರೀಧರ ಮೂರ್ತಿ ಪೀಠದ ಮೇಲೆ ನಿಂತಿದೆ ಅದರ ಮುಂದೆ ಗರುಡನನ್ನು ಕೆತ್ತಲಾಗಿದೆ. ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಹೊರಗೋಡೆಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಪೌರಾಣಿಕ ಕಥೆಗಳನ್ನು, ರಾಮಾಯಣದ ಕಥೆಗಳನ್ನು ಇನ್ನು ಅನೇಕ ದೃಶ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಪಟ್ಟಕೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆತ್ತಲಾಗಿದೆ. ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಮಹಾದ್ವಾರವು ಸುಮಾರು ಅಡಿ ಎತ್ತರ ಹಾಗೂ ೭ ಅಡಿ ಅಗಲವಿದ್ದು ಕಣಶಿಲೆಯ ಚಪ್ಪಡಿಗಳಿಂದ ಮಾಡಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿದೆ. ಈ ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಕುರಿತಾಗಿ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖವಿರುವ ಆರು ಶಾಸನಗಳಿವೆ. 
ಆಯುಕ್ತರು ಪ್ರಾಚ್ಯವಸ್ತು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಾಲಯಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಪರಂಪರೆ ಇಲಾಖೆ ಮೈಸೂರು

Sri Lakshminarasimha temple, Javagal, Arasikere,
the Lakshminarasimha temple is a triple-shrined temple built by Hoyasala King Vishnuvardhana. It houses the sculpture of Kesava in the main shrine, Gopala to the right and Lakshminarasimha to the left shrines. Although placed in a subsidiary shrine, Lakshminarasimha is regarded as the main deity this Vishnu temple comprises figures of Ganesha and Mahishamardini in the niches by the side of the main shrine. The Mukhamantapa, the granite Mahadvara and the Lakshmi temple constitute the additions of the main temple. The Navaranga doorway bears on its lintel, Dvarapalas and Kalimardana the south cell contains a 6 feet high statue of Venugopala, while the north cell has the idol of Lakshminarasimha on a Garuda pedestal, with Garuda carved in front. The sanctum has a lotus dome carved out of a single slab. The image of Vishnu as Sridhara stands on a pedestal with Garuda carved in front. The Mahadvara about 18 feet heigh and 7 feet wide, made up of granite slabs is typical of Vijaynagara period construction. There are six inscriptions about the temple.
Commissioner Dept. of Archaeology Museums & Heritage, Mysore

This is the Mukhamantapa, meaning the porch. Portions of this temple have been restored, for example the balustrade flanking the steps seem to be quite recent. The two idols flanking the entrance are the doorkeepers Jaya and Vijaya.

The temple Archaka, a young man clad in traditional attire did Arti and offered it to us. We got good Darshan of all three deities. Here I have to mention that the locality in front of the temple seems like an Agrahara, a community of Brahmin families. Agrahara is where Vedic traditions are taught and practiced. This reminded me of the Agrahara at Turuvekere which is known for Hoysala temples like Gangadhareshwara, Chennigaraya Swamy, Moole Shankareshwara and Beteraya Swamy.

Photography inside is banned in most temples. However, I was let to take pictures as long as I didn't take pictures of the deities. Here are two pictures just to give an idea of the interior.

A view of the central dome. It's a three tier dome with spokes projecting out from the hub. This piece of complicated artwork is not there just for decoration. Surely it has some function like concentrating cosmic energy.

Stepping out, we go around the temple. According to one source, the external walls have 140 wall panel sculptures. There are 24 different forms of Narayana each having four arms (Chaturbhuja) holding Shankha, Chakra, Gada and Padma (conch, wheel, mace and lotus). The notable ones are Lakshminarasimha, Ugranarasimha, Rama & Lakshmana, Badrinarayana, Govardhana Giridhar and Anantapadmanabha. Also there are idols of Ganesha, Brahma and Saraswati.

LakshmiNarasimha | Narayana

Varaha Avatar

Goverdhana Giridhari | Vamana Avatar

Lakshminarayana

Narayana | Brahma

Saraswati | Garuda

Ugranarasimha | Garuda | Narayana

Anantapadmanabha

Next is a collage of two interesting sculptures. On the left is a six armed form of Vishnu holding Shankha, Chakra, sword, shield, Japamala and a container like object. I'm guessing this is Mohini holding nectar. The other image shows two characters. On the left is a woman holding on to a serpent, seemingly a cobra. On the right is a voluptuous woman wearing sandals and holding a serpent. These two could be Vishakanya.

Another interesting sculpture is the four armed female form holding a Trident & Damaru in the rear hands. In the front right hand was a sword which is missing and in the left hand is a severed head. This could be Kali, the female counterpart of Shiva.

Lastly, we have Natya Ganapati. And, that's Sridhar known for his handlebar mushtache.

One must spend a lot of time here and study the images closely. There's so much to learn about Hindu culture from these sculptures.

Lastly, a closer look at the Mantapa next to the Mahadwara. This little structure is so much like the one at Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Devastana, Arasikere.

A board in front of the temple gives timings for those who wish to get darshan:

ದರ್ಶನ ಸಮಯ

ಸೋಮ, ಭುದ, ಗುರು, ಶುಕ್ರ, ಭಾನುವಾರ ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ 8 ರಿಂದ 11 ಗಂಟೆವರೆಗೆ 

ಮಂಗಳ, ಶನಿವಾರ ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ 8 ರಿಂದ ಮಧ್ಯಾನಃ 1 ಗಂಟೆವರೆಗೆ

 

Temple hours

8AM to 11AM on Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sundays

8AM to 1PM on Tue & Saturdays

Done with Javagal, we head towards Belawadi to see Sri Veeranarayana Swamy Devastana.

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Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Devastana, Arsikere

After spending 45 minutes at Sri Chandramouleshwara Devastana, we got directions for Chikka Tirupati which is just a couple of kilometers outside the town. We drove around the enclosure and reached the front where a towering Gopura stood majestically. Until now I was under the assumption that the temple was atop the hill. That's the moment I learned about Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Devastana.

Being a Tuesday, the place was uncrowded, all streets around the temple were empty and tidy. It feels good to visit a temple like this. People seen were mostly residents here and a few students. At the moment, it looked like we were the only visitors. It's needless to say that this place would be teeming with people on Saturdays, Sundays, special days like Ekadasi and festivals.

Seen here are the following: an ancient mantapa, Tulabaara pillars and five tier Gopura. Also, in the vicinity and out of sight are two more Mantapas, both ancient structures. Then there's a Kalyani close by.

We enter the temple, we were the only two visitors at the moment. The Archaka performed Arati and we got a long darshan of the lord. We exited the temple and started the Pradakshina. As you see the temple has ample open space around it. In fact a pillared shelter runs along the perimeter wall like all big temples in southern India. Close to the entrance here, there was a Kalyana Mantapa where a family was participating in a ritual performed by two or three Archakas.

Another view of the Gopura.

This is definitely an ancient shrine, however the structure has undergone renovation recently. There's not much information of this temple online but the temple atop the hill was constructed by a local chieftain Palegar Thimmapanayaka during Hoysala times. In the background is Malekallu Gudda atop which is Venkateshwara shrine. Apparently the temple below was built later so that Rathothsava and other festivals could be carried out conveniently.

Idols of Anjaneya and Garuda in the pillared shelter.

A slightly better view of Malekallu Gudda. Here we see two peaks. On the right hand side peak is Venkateshwara Devastana. From the base, one needs to climb 1300 steps to reach the hilltop temple which is open only on Saturdays between 6 AM and 12 noon. So remember this if you are planning a visit.

A closer view of the peak and temple complex.

On the northern side of the enclosure is this gateway called Vaikunta Dwara. On certain festivals, or even any normal day, people consider passing through the Vaikunta Dwara Mantapa a sacred thing.

The northeastern view of the Gopura.

The pillars of the porch are ancient, probably installed during Hoysala times. Around this time we saw a married couple enter the temple, they seem to the only visitors other than Sridar & I. We sat besides the Gopura for a few minutes soaking in the silence of the place.

These are the two Mantapas. The closer one, going by its turned pillars, is definitely Hoysala architecture. Mantapa in the background seems like relatively recent, probably built during Vijayanagara times.

A stone's throw from the Mantapas is this water tank meant for bathing.. a holy dip.

This tank is quite interesting with a Mantapa at its center. The fish head popping out is a nice touch.

The place was well kept. Whoever's in charge is doing a good job. I wish people cooperate with temple management in upkeeping cleanliness.

Time to move on since we had to visit three more places- Javagal, Belawadi and Arakere. All these places were known for beautiful Hoysala temples. Also, we wanted to complete the temple tour and return home at Bhogasandra before sunset.

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