Bucesvara Temple, Koravangala

Bucesvara temple, also referred to as the Buceswara, Bucheshwara or Bhucheshvara temple, is a 12th-century Hindu temples in Koravangala village, Karnataka, India. The most sophisticated historical temple in the village, it is considered to be the flag-bearer of Hoysala architecture and was built by a wealthy patron named Buchi during the reign of king Ballala.

It is a twin temple with the two sanctums facing each other. The sanctum next to the larger mandapa opens to the east and is dedicated to Shiva, while the other near the two entrances is dedicated to Surya. Artworks of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism and the Vedic deities are reverentially displayed, along with panels depicting scenes from the ''Ramayana'', the ''Mahabharata'', the ''Bhagavata Purana''. Also included are scenes of ''artha'' and ''kama'' (''mithuna'', amorous couples).

The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Location and date

It is located in the village of Korvangla, about northeast from Hassan city in Karnataka, India.Foekema (1996), pp78-79 It is about southwest of Halebidu (Dorasamudra) – the primary capital of Hoysala kingdom in the 12th-century.

The temple is to the north of the village and was built in 1173 AD by a rich officer called Buci (or Buchiraja). The inscription states that it marks the coronation of Hoysala King Veera Ballala II.Foekema (1996), p79 Koravangala was a major town in pre-14th century Karnataka, featuring at least six temples on the eastern banks of a manmade lake:
*Two temples are within the Buceswara temple ''prakara'' (compound), these were built about 1173 CE; the second temple is to the eastern end of the complex and to the north of main temple; it is a smaller and simpler Bhairava temple, a form of the Hindu god Shiva.
*Three temples are to the north of Bucesvara temple – Govindesvara temple (Shiva), Nakesvara temple (Shiva) and a Surya temple, completed between 1160 and 1170 CE
*One is almost totally ruined and to the east-northeast, likely also late 12th-century (it is unclear to whom this was dedicated)

From the inscriptions found near these temples, it is evident that the northernmost temples here are about 15 to 20 years older than the Buchesvara temple. They were commissioned by Buci's older brothers, Govinda and Naka.

Architecture

All temples in this village follow the square plan per the classical Sanskrit texts on Hindu architecture. The most sophisticated of these is the Bucesvara temple, which is more massive and better preserved. Dhaky – a scholar known for his studies on Indian temple architecture, states that the Bucesvara is "in severak respects a truly notable building".

It is a ''divikuta'' (two shrines) that face each other. These shrines are connected by a closed ''mantapa'' (hall) and an open ''mantapa''. At the eastern end of the complex and to the north of main temple is a smaller and simpler Bhairava temple, a form of the Hindu god Shiva. In the main interconnected long temple, the sanctum contains an image of Surya (the Sun god in Hinduism). Foekema calls this as the "staggered square plan" or the "cross in square", a square with three projections per side. The main large shrine is dedicated to Shiva.

The temple consists of tritala ''vimana'' (three storey sanctum superstructure), a ''gudha-mandapa'' and a ''ranga-mandapa''. The vimana consists of karnas, kutastambhas, bhadras and a kapili.Kamath (2001), p134 The ''shikara'' is beautifully executed with detailed carving, a fine example of Nataraja with the Hoysala crest,Foekema (1996), p80 and near perfect ''kalasa'' at the very top. On the walls is a balanced display of the Hindu traditions – Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism.Foekema (1996), p27

The eastern shrine, which contains a Shiva linga has a similar plan; a ''Sukhanasi'' (called "nose") which is a low protrusion of the tower over the shrine and is built over the vestibule which connects the ''vimana'' (cella) to the hall.Foekema (1996), p22 The halls are adjoining. The ceiling art in the open hall is of fine quality and the pillars have a glossy finish. The pillars of the ''mantapa'' (hall) are bell shaped, a design achieved by turning with lathes.Kamath (2001), p135

According to Foekema, the temple decorative feature pre-Hoysala style, that is those prevalent before the Hoysala times. In this type of decoration, below the superstructure (tower), an eaves that projects about half a meter runs all around the temple. Below the eaves are decorative miniature towers (the aedicula) on pilasters. The miniature towers (turrets) are in various styles; ''nagara'', '' dravida'', ''vesara'', and ''bhumija''. The large wall images of deities and their attendants are placed below these decorative towers.

These images include among others: Bhairava (a version of the god Shiva), the goddess Saraswati and Durga, Maheshvara, Narasimha, Brahma, and Venugopala. Below these images, the base of the wall comprises five different horizontal moldings, one of which is a row of blocks.Foekema (1996), p28

The three niches on the south side have survived, and these show Saptamatrikas, Ganesha and Saraswati. The north side niches contained reliefs too, but are now empty.

Gallery

File:A profile of Bucesvara temple at Koravangala.JPG, Close up profile of shrine and its superstructure (''shikhara'')
File:Relief at Bucesvara temple at Koravangla.JPG, An aedicula bounded by decorative swirls in bas-relief
File:Shrine outer wall relief in the Bucesvara temple at Koravangala.JPG, Wall bas-relief depicting Vishnu carried by Garuda
File:Koravangala Shri Bucheswara Temple - From the North Side.jpg, Narasimha avatar of Vishnu in the center
File:Open mantapa leading to sanctum in the Bucesvara temple at Koravangala.JPG, Lathe turned pillars inside the ''mahamantapa'' (open hall)
File:Shrine outer wall relief in the Bucesvara temple at Koravangala 1.JPG, Shrine outer wall relief
File:Domical bay ceiling in the Bucesvara temple at Koravangala 2.JPG, Ceiling with lotus
File:Bucheshwara Temple , Koravangala - 2nd Shrine.jpg, Dancing Ganesha at the center
File:Elephant baluster at lateral entrance into open mantapa of the Bucesvara temple at Koravangala.JPG, Elephant baluster, one of two entrances
File:Ornated Vimana of Shri Bucheswara Temple , Koravangala.jpg, Ornate tower superstructure
File:Shri Bucesvara temple - South West Side View-9314.jpg, Side View
File:A profile of Bucesvara temple at Koravangala 2.JPG, South-west corner view

References

Bibliography

*Gerard Foekema, A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples, Abhinav, 1996
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*''Blazing Trail of Golden Era - Tourist Guide of Hassan District'', Karnataka tourism

External links

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Hassan District Tourism

Religious buildings and structures completed in 1173
12th-century Hindu temples
Hindu temples in Hassan district