Sri Sakaleshwara Swamy Devasthana

May 11, 2019
Stopped at this historic temple while traveling from Bangalore to a resort on the hills and valleys of Sakleshpur. This temple is dedicated to Shiva in the form of Sakaleshwara Swamy after which Sakaleshpur town is named. The temple is situated close to river Hemavati, off Hassan-Mangalore highway.

An ancient temple it is but heavily modified with fabricated steel and paint. Let me say that these fittings are real sore, outright ugly. Anyway, that's how it goes with our temples. As you see, this east facing temple sits on a 5' pedestal, has two entrances with elephants flanking the staircases.

This shrine is ancient like any other Hindu shrine. The structure could be built during Hoysala period. The elephant sculptures are marvelous.

A closer look at another elephant sculpture.

This is the temple's Sabha Mantapa, these pillars and beams are original. The priest said they were sand-blasted to remove layers of paint, hence the bright look. The door leads to the Ranga Mantapa.

The temple's Ranga Mantapa and Garbhagudi are connected by a vestibule. This is the vestibule door-frame.

That's the deity.. Sakaleshwara Swamy. The temple interior is neat and tidy, thanks to the priest in charge.

It was a quick stop-over, we proceeded towards Manjrabad fort.
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