Sri Beteraya Devalaya, Gulur

...continued from Guluru Maha Ganapati Devastana.

After Maha Ganapati darshan we came back to the spot which happens to be the ancient entrance of Gulur village. A twin Nandi and a cobble-stoned ramp marks the place. We came back here to take pictures of the ancient gateway, that's when I noticed another ancient temple to my left. A board planted close to this Dwara stated two names- 1. Sri Byateraya Swami Devalaya and 2. Basavanna Swami Devalaya. The latter was already known hence the former is the temple we are about to see. The gateway is a Mantapa made of 8 columns, it's architecture is Vijayanagara. That's Sridhar posing in front of the gateway.

The gateway passage is flanked by raised platforms spacious enough to seat a dozen adults. The lime coating on the pillars is concealing it's features. If not for the lime, the relief sculptures would be visible easily. One of the columns has sculptures of Ganesha and Anjaneya. Also several musicians and dancers depicted on the columns.

The gateway as seen from the inside. Between the temple and the gateway is the Stambha which seems pretty ancient, probably of the same time as rest of the structures here.

At the base of the Stambha is an image of Anjaneya Swami. Also present here is a lotus stone.

The temple structure is simple but it's large enough to accommodate a hundred people inside. Also the temple has sufficient open space around it for a larger crowd. Unfortunately the temple gates were locked, we could see a pair of closed doors through the gates.

This space, i.e. between the gates and doors is the Sabhamantapa. Beyond the closed doors, I'm guessing is another hall, and at the end is the sanctum of Beteraya, a form of Vishnu.

Rear view of Beteraya Devastana. I was happy to see a well maintained structure..

..until seeing the opposite wall. This damage doesn't seem natural, it looks like a deliberate attempt to gain access to the interior to steal valuables. I hope people of the village initiate steps to have it repaired.

Back at the temple front, we get another of the gateway & Stambha.

On the left side of the temple is a tiled-roof house which seemed vacant. I guess the house is part of the temple, probably for the priest. Going by the looks of this place, I feel Gulur was a prosperous village, a place of significance.

This is the board I mentioned earlier... written on it are the names of two temples in the vicinity. If you look to the right of the board, there are two short pillars each having Nandi idols. 

A closer looks at the passage. This is supposed to be the ancient entrance of Gulur. By the way, this happens to be the north-eastern corner of Gulur.

The twin Nandi idols of Gulur. Going by the flowers and banana plant, the idols have been revered during Makara Sankranti festival.

This is Sri Basavanna Swami Devalaya. It's under renovation. One might miss the large Nandi idol atop the structure. Hoping to see a renovated Basavanna Gudi during my visit here.

Also, hoping to see the inside of Beteraya Devastana and the making of Maha Ganapati which commences on Ganesh Chaturti. Navaratri should be the right time to catch a glimpse of Maha Ganapati.

.........