Sri Chandramouleswara Temple, Unkal, Hubballi

A colleague told me about this temple. I was happy to know that Hubli, the commercial city, had such a beautiful temple to boast about but also sad to see the condition of the temple. The open space around the temple is a playground for local boys. A big gang of college going boys were playing cricket noisily, not caring where they are sending the ball, with another bunch using the temple platform as their gallery.

The temple is supposed to be 900 years old and the architecture is similar to the temples of Badami, Pattadkal and Aihole. I feel it's pretty close to temples of Belur and Halebid in terms of the base, the raised platform.

Inside are two Shivalingas. The first one is enclosed in a square chamber which has doorways on all 4 sides. One can see the Linga from all 4 directions.

The second Linga is known as Chaturmukha Linga; four faced Linga. The pedestal seems to be carved out of the same stone which forms the floor around this Shivalinga.

As you see, pooja is offered everyday. If not for this the temple could not be cared for.

I went around looking at the decorative sculptures. This temple is no less compared to some of the major attractions in terms of detailed and precision work.

These panels remind me of Mahadeva Devastana of Itagi.

A peacock motif. Note the semi-circular bangle holding the two curtains flowing down. Such details! How did the creators imagine, design and then actually create them in stone?

Some parts of the temple are in pristine condition.

Kirtimukha to keep out evil eyes.

This piece of work expresses engineering skill.

That's the rear door. In fact this temple has four doors, one each in every cardinal direction. The main entrance is east-facing.

Engineering and art join hands.

Front left portion of the temple.

Hindustan tractor and Basavanna co-exist in Unkal just like tractors & oxen in rest of Karnataka and many parts of India.

I visited this temple again in Feb 2020 and took more pictures. Do check out the newer posts: Chandramouleshwara Devastana revisited.

.........