Mukteshwara Gudi, Vakkund - chapter 2

...continued from Mukteshwara Gudi, Vakkund - chapter 1.

As mentioned in the previous chapter, this site has three temples, which looks like two. With an intention of making the site layout clear I've included screen-shots from Google Maps in this post. This image below shows how the three temples are positioned on the hillock. Temples 1 & 2 are at a higher elevation compared to Temple-3. Coming to orientation, Temple-1 faces north while Temple-2 and Temple-3 face east. The 'tank' is a brick & mortar structure of unknown date. The only opening is at the top, a circular one. However, the hollow is filled with rubble. On inquiring with a local person, I was told it was a well. Hence I guessed it could be a water tank.

The second screen-shot focuses on temples 1 and 2. These two temples are at right angles to each other in plan. To get a sense of orientation, I've marked a few key points with alphabets.

Lets start with temple-1. This north-facing temple has three entrances, the three passages converge into the Ranga Mantapa or the Sabha Mantapa. The entrance seen here is the north one, marked as A in the previous picture. There's a flat space on the eastern side of this temple, which has been leveled artificially for the sake of tourists' convenience. The remaining sides are natural with various degrees of inclinations.

First I'll go clockwise around the exterior covering both temples. The architecture seems Chalukyan. One can see all the features in confirmed Chalukyan creations. The stone used for building this dark and hard type.

This is the eastern projection with an entrance, marked as B. This Mantapa has a central stage and Sukanasi on three sides, providing ample seating space for any gatherings.This region receives fairly good rainfall. Ancient temple builders have provided ample rainwater drain points on the roof.

Another view of the eastern entrance. The corner (marked as C) seen on the left hand side is where the walls of temple-1 and temple-2 meet. Looks like the builders squeezed in the second temple due to limited area.

This is temple-2. Somehow the corner beams and pillar are missing. The actual entrance is on the left hand side.

Marked as D, this is the east facing entrance. I guess, the face of this temple was symmetric i.e. it must have had another window on the door's right side. I'm standing on the southern side of the hillock which is quite steep. These walls encloses a Sabha Mantapa, just a plain hall with no Sukhanasi.

Side view of temple-2. The walls seen here are rough on the outside but smoother on the inside. The exterior is supposed to have another layer of well finished blocks. It seems this temple is incomplete. Its the same with the roof... rough cut blocks is the inner layer. The second layer will make the roof flat and even.

The well finished projecting slabs is a proof that the temple platform was complete. The upper section i.e. the columns, beams and walls were being constructed when work stopped for unknown reasons.

This is where the two temples' walls meet. On the left is temple-1 and on the right is temple-2. Looks like there was a narrow gap between the two which has been filled with small bits of stones. Note the difference in finish of walls. The wall on extreme left is complete with smooth faced blocks.

These walls cover the circumbulatory around the sanctum. There are two meshed ventilators on two walls to allow light and air inti the closed space. I peeped in through the vent holes, it was pretty dark inside, of course with bright sunshine out here, the interior will appear darker.

This view is from the point marked F in the screenshot. Going by the looks, the rear exterior of both temples are incomplete. The builders must have planned to complete the faces first and then work their way to the rear ends.

Behind the wall in the foreground is the Antharala (vestibule) connecting the Rangamantapa and Pradakshinapatha (circumbulatory).

A very picture of the western walls of temple-1. The ground slopes down which means I have to point the camera up to the glare of the bright sunshine.

View of the slope from where I shot the previous picture. The still waters of Renuka Sagar and in the distance is left bank. My back is flat against the vestibule wall, I wanted to capture the shadow so that you get an  idea of the building's form here.

One of the 7 or 8 ventilators in temple-1, each of the designs is unique.

Another bad picture of the western side, here the western entrance is seen. Of the 3 entrances, the western entrance is different, it has an enclosure which can be called as Mukhamantapa. To my knowledge, this is the only temple featuring a special mantapa for one entrance.

A slightly clearer view of the Mantapa. The view of the river from the mantapa is superb and the cool breeze blowing over the water adds to the effect. Surely this mantapa has a purpose to it, I can't imagine what.

Having covered the exterior, I'll close this post here. We'll see the interiors in the following post- Mukteshwara Gudi, Vakkund - chapter 3.

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