Sangameshwara temple, Yevor

Venkatesh Bappargi, my friend from Wagangera messaged me on Whatsapp about his visit to Yevor Sangameshwara temple. He was on duty along with colleagues at Yevor, they took a break, rested at the temple and went around taking few pictures. Three things done- rest, deities' darshan and some pictures for memory. I'd to research little in Google Maps to get a proper understanding of the temple complex layout.

The temple complex consists a water tank, a mantapa with inscription and four or five temples. Of the temples, one is Trikutachala and remaining are Ekatachala. A temple with single Garbhagudi is called Ekatachala and those having three are Trikutachala. The temples seems to be built over a century or two since there are significant changes in the temple designs. 

Here's the sat-view of the temple complex from Google Maps. I've marked the spots to make identification easy.

A - Kalyani ~ stepped water tank

B - Ekatachala

C - Mantapa sheltering an inscribed slab

D - Trikutachala

E - Ekatachala

F - concrete structure

Floral motifs on the tank walls, the trapezoidal flower, an elegant design, is a common sight in temples of North Karnataka. That's the concrete structure - wondering why they had to build it so close to the tank - senseless builders! 

Zooming out & panning to the right, the other flight of steps comes into view. Sad to see the damage done by God knows who.. trying to imagine this tank in its original condition.. truly ancient builders were masters.. see the perfect straight lines and right angles.. as though they weren't created by hands but by power of mind. On the other side of the tank are two temples- one Ekatachala and one Trikutachala.

We are going around the tank.. water is fresh and the tank is deep. Think this is a well rather than just a tank. Its a practice to offer prayers or initiate rituals while the person is still wet, hence these types of tanks with seating arrangement.

For some reason, local people have covered the temple Shikharas with lime which is harmful to stone.

Different forms of Ganesha, all rituals start by praying to him first. If you take a look at the corner sculptures, they seem to be couples engaged in sexual activity.. kama-kreede. And right next to it is a man in meditation. Wondering what's that supposed to convey.. ancient builders never did anything random. 

With this view, we have covered all sides of the well. That's a Ekatachala temple without Shikhara. This is a open temple without walls except its Garbhagudi. Such temples were usually used for meetings. On Google Maps this temple complex is marked as Basaveshwara temple. Unfortunately Venkatesh did not have individual names, said its called Sangameshwara Devastana. He'll inquire whenever he visits Yevor again.

The four pillared mantapa with its inscription. The slab is inscribed on both faces, script and language is Kannada. The Basava seems like part of the original design.

Right next to the Mantapa is the Trikutachala. Its walls are made of pillars, similar to the Thousand Pillared temple of Warangal. The Shikharas are stepped.

Another view of the walls and a Shikhara. In the foreground, is a broken idol of a standing elephant.

The Trikutachala temple entrance. Metal grills to keep out vandals, painted sculptures, cables hanging about.. aagh!

A fluted pillar on the right as you enter the temple. This design is very unique. Notice its base, as if a bunch of smaller pillars are held together by a slip band. Also the shorter pillars design is something new to me.

Going by the size of this hall and the vestibule, this seems to be part of the Trikutachala. These turned pillars would be mirror finished originally. The whitish coating on the pillars are remains of lime.. people's senseless deeds! The pillar design reminds me on Banashankari Devastana of Amargol.

The sculpted concave dome. This is a basic version compared to the much more complex versions seen at other Chalukyan, Rastrakutan and Hoysala temples.

A blooming flower on a beam. Simple yet beautiful.

A Garbhagudi. An elongated Shivalinga on a pedestal.

 The other Gabhagudi has three Lingas on a single pedestal. This deity reminds me of Tryambakeshwara Gudi of Kavital. The middle Linga is completely covered in Bilva Patri leaves.. Shiva's favorite.

This must be the interior of the temple marked as E. The circular wedge between the pillar and beam-holder seems like an independent object. Basically the entire structure is an assembled structure with no binding material. I feel its designed to be earthquake proof. So are many of our temples. Call them hi-tech piles of dressed stone blocks.

Ganesha.. sadly damaged. The garlanded slab on the left carries an inscription. The pillar in the foreground also carries an inscription. Every time I see ancient sculptures my wish to travel back in time becomes stronger.. a hopeless wish :-(

Deity of this temple- a Shivalinga. That's a piece of cloth covering the area around the Linga. Nice creation by some Bhaktini.

 This is the temple marked B.The walls are tightly packed columns.

The little temple's deity, a Shivalinga and its Basava. Normally Basava's face Shivalinga but here its opposite.

Not sure where these miniature temple Shikhara were found. Lovely creations.

Thanks to Venkatesh for letting me know about this lovely monument. Hoping to visit Yevor once, would be great to see in person.
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