The Nageshvara-Chennakeshava temple complex, sometimes referred to as the Nagesvara and Chennakesava temples of Mosale, are a pair of nearly identical Hindu temples in the village of Mosale near Hassan city, Karnataka, India. One for Shiva, other for Vishnu, this pair is a set of highly ornamented stone temples, illustrating the

Hoysala architecture Hoysala architecture is the building style in Hindu temple architecture developed under the rule of the Hoysala Empire between the 11th and 14th centuries, in the region known today as Karnataka, a state of India. Hoysala influence was at its pe ...

. These temples also include panels of artwork related to the goddess tradition of Hinduism (Shaktism) and Vedic deities. Another notable feature of these temples is the artwork in their ceilings, how the ''shilpins'' (artisans) integrated the historic pre-Hoysala architectural innovations from the Chalukya era. Further, the temples include north Indian

Bhumija Bhumija is a variety of north Indian temple architecture marked by how the rotating square-circle principle is applied to construct the ''shikhara'' (superstructure or spire) on top of the sanctum. Invented about the 10th-century in the Malwa regi ...

and south Indian

Vesara Vesara is a hybrid form of Indian temple architecture, with South Indian plan and a shape that features North Indian details. This fusion style likely originated in the historic architecture schools of the Dharwad region. It is common in the survi ...

aedicules on the outer walls above the panels.Foekema (1996), pp81-82 It is unclear when this temple pair was built, but given the style and architectural innovations embedded therein, it was likely complete before 1250 CE. According to Dhaky – an architecture and history scholar, the interior of this temple pair is "gorgeously embellished" and the outer artwork is "handsomely decorated". This temple complex is protected as a monument of national importance by the

Archaeological Survey of India The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is an Indian government agency that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural historical monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexand ...

Location and date

It is located in the village of Mosale, about south of

Hassan Hassan, Hasan, Hassane, Haasana, Hassaan, Asan, Hassun, Hasun, Hassen, Hasson or Hasani may refer to: People *Hassan (given name), Arabic given name and a list of people with that given name *Hassan (surname), Arabic, Jewish, Irish, and Scottis ...

city, in Hassan district of Karnataka state, India.Foekema (1996), pp81-82 The two temples are in the same complex, in an idyllic rural setting, and they form a "perfect twin".Foekema (1996), p81 It is unclear when the temple was built, as the foundation stone is missing and other inscriptions do not provide any clues. The style suggests this pair is a pre-1250 CE temple. According to Foekema, the temple was built in 1200 A.D. during the reign of Hoysala King

Veera Ballala II Veera Ballala II ( kn, ವೀರ ಬಲ್ಲಾಳ 2) (r. 1173–1220 CE) was the most notable monarch of the Hoysala Empire. His successes against the Yadavas of Devagiri, the Southern Kalachuris, the Pandyas of Madurai and the wani ...

.Foekema (1996), p82

Architecture

By plan, the temples are simple single-shrined structures with all the standard features of

; a porch entrance into a square closed ''

mantapa A mandapa or mantapa () is a pillared hall or pavilion for public rituals in Indian architecture, especially featured in Hindu temple architecture. Mandapas are described as "open" or "closed" depending on whether they have walls. In temples, ...

'' or ''navaranga'' (hall with no windows and a thick wall) leading to the sanctum, and a superstructure (''

shikhara ''Shikhara'' ( IAST: '), a Sanskrit word translating literally to "mountain peak", refers to the rising tower in the Hindu temple architecture of North India, and also often used in Jain temples. A ''shikhara'' over the ''garbhagriha'' chambe ...

'') over the main shrine fitting the description of a ''ekakuta'' (single shrine with top). The sanctum (''

garbhagriha A ''garbhagriha'' or ''sannidhanam'' is the ''sanctum sanctorum'', the innermost sanctuary of a Hindu and Jain temples where resides the '' murti'' (idol or icon) of the primary deity of the temple. In Jainism, the main deity is known as the ' ...

'') is connected to the hall by a vestibule called ''sukhanasi''. The closed hall, whose inner and outer walls are decorated, has four central lathe turned pillars that support a bay ceiling.Foekema (1996), p22Kamath (2001), p134Kamath (2001), p135 The temples are constructed next to each other. The Nageshvara temple (''lit'', "Lord of snakes"), dedicated to the Hindu god

Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...

is in the south. The Chennakeshava temple (''lit'', "beautiful Vishnu"), dedicated to the Hindu god

Vishnu Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism. Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" withi ...

, is to the north.Foekema (1996), p82Foekema (1996), pp19-20Foekema (1996), p25 The superstructure (tower or ''

'') over each shrine is three tiered (''tritala arpita'') and ''

vesara Vesara is a hybrid form of Indian temple architecture, with South Indian plan and a shape that features North Indian details. This fusion style likely originated in the historic architecture schools of the Dharwad region. It is common in the survi ...

'' in style. It is intact, finely sculptured and has a decorative low extension which is actually the tower over the vestibule (that connects the

cella A cella (from Latin for small chamber) or naos (from the Greek ναός, "temple") is the inner chamber of an ancient Greek or Roman temple in classical antiquity. Its enclosure within walls has given rise to extended meanings, of a hermit's or ...

(sanctum) and the hall). The extension tower looks like the "nose" of the main superstructure and is also called ''sukhanasi''. The ''sukanasi'' structure holds the beautiful Hoysala crest that depicts a royal warrior stabbing a lion. At the top of the superstructure of the shrine is a sculptured ''

amalaka An amalaka ( sa, आमलक), is a segmented or notched stone disk, usually with ridges on the rim, that sits on the top of a Hindu temple's shikhara or main tower. According to one interpretation, the amalaka represents a lotus, and thus the ...

'', whose ground surface area can be 2x2 meters. It is the largest piece of sculpture in the temple. The ''amalaka'' supports a decorative water pot like structure called the ''

kalasha A kalasha, also spelled kalash or kalasa, also called ghat or ghot ( sa, कलश , Telugu: కలశము Kannada: ಕಳಶ literally "pitcher, pot"), is a metal (brass, copper, silver or gold) pot with a large base and small mouth, large eno ...

'' which is the apex of the tower.Foekema (1996), p27 All these features are intact in both temples. The decorative features found on the temple outer wall (horizontal treatment) belong to the pre-Hoysala traditions. In this type of decorations, below the superstructure, an eaves that projects about half a meter runs all around the temple. Below the eaves are decorative Bhumija and Vesara miniature towers (

aedicula In ancient Roman religion, an ''aedicula'' (plural ''aediculae'') is a small shrine, and in classical architecture refers to a niche covered by a pediment or entablature supported by a pair of columns and typically framing a statue,"aedicula, ...

) on

pilaster In classical architecture, a pilaster is an architectural element used to give the appearance of a supporting column and to articulate an extent of wall, with only an ornamental function. It consists of a flat surface raised from the main wal ...

s. The large wall images of deities and their attendants are placed below these decorative towers. Some of these images are mutilated and damaged, but others are in reasonably preserved form to affirm their elegance and art. Some of the panel images at the Nageshvara temple have been signed by the artists on their pedestals. The panels found in the Nagesvara temple include those of Sridevi,

Lakshmi Lakshmi (; , sometimes spelled Laxmi, ), also known as Shri (, ), is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism. She is the goddess of wealth, fortune, power, beauty, fertility and prosperity, and associated with ''Maya'' ("Illusion"). Alo ...

devi, Gauri, Maheshvari (another name for

Parvati Parvati ( sa, पार्वती, ), Uma ( sa, उमा, ) or Gauri ( sa, गौरी, ) is the Hindu goddess of power, energy, nourishment, harmony, love, beauty, devotion, and motherhood. She is a physical representation of Mahadevi i ...

Brahma Brahma ( sa, ब्रह्मा, Brahmā) is a Hindu god, referred to as "the Creator" within the Trimurti, the trinity of supreme divinity that includes Vishnu, and Shiva.Jan Gonda (1969)The Hindu Trinity Anthropos, Bd 63/64, H 1/2, pp. 21 ...

, Sadashiva (form of

) and Bhumidevi (representation of mother earth).Foekema (1996), p28 The Channakeshava temple has sculptures of

Garuda Garuda (Sanskrit: ; Pāli: ; Vedic Sanskrit: गरुळ Garuḷa) is a Hindu demigod and divine creature mentioned in the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. He is primarily depicted as the mount (''vahana'') of the Hindu god Vishnu. Garuda ...

(the eagle),

Keshava Keshava (Sanskrit: ') is an epithet of Vishnu in Hindu tradition. Keshava means Parabrahman, according to Hindu scriptures. The name appears as the 23rd and 648th names in the Vishnu Sahasranama of the Mahabharata. Keshava is also venerated ...

(a form of Vishnu), Janardana,

Venugopala Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism. Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" within t ...

, Madhava (a form of

Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...

) and

Bhudevi Bhumi ( sa, भूमि, Bhūmi), also known as Bhudevi and Vasundhara, is a Hindu goddess who is the personification of the Earth. She is a consort of the god Vishnu. According to Vaishnava tradition, she is the second aspect of Vishnu's cons ...

. Below these images, the base of the wall comprises five different horizontal moldings, one of which is a row of blocks.

Gallery

File:Profile of panel relief sculpture in Chennakeshava temple at Mosale.JPG, Outer wall decoration File:Nageshvara (near) and Chennakeshava (far) temples at Mosale.JPG, The twin temples of Mosale File:Profile (frontal) of the Nageshvara (left) and Chennakeshava (right) temples at Mosale.JPG, Frontal view of twin temples, Nageshvara (far), Chennakeshava (near) at Mosale File:A shrine inside the mantapa (hall) in the Chennakeshava temple at Mosale.JPG, A decorative shrine in the mantapa wall of Chennakeshava temple at Mosale File:Nageshswara Temple , Mosale.jpg, Nageshvara Temple - Mosale File:Chenna Kesava Temple , Mosale from the North Side View.jpg File:Vesara tower of Chennakeshava temple at Mosale.JPG, ''

'' tower of the Chennakeshava temple, Mosale File:Wall panel relief and sculpture in Chennakeshava temple at Mosale.JPG, Wall panel relief sculpture and ornamentation in Chennakeshava temple at Mosale File:Yali sculpture in Chennakeshava temple at Mosale.JPG, Yali sculpture on wall of Chennakeshava temple at Mosale File:Mantapa (hall) in Nageshvara temple at Mosale.JPG, Closed mantapa with lathe turned pillars facing sanctum in Nageshvara temple at Mosale File:Kannada inscription (1577 AD) at Nageshvara and Chennakeshava temples in Mosale.jpg, Old Kannada inscription (1577 A.D.) of Belur Chief Venkatadri Nayaka at the twin temple complex at Mosale File:North Side Corner View of Nageshswara & Chenna Kesava Temple- Mosale.jpg, North Side corner View of the twin temples at Mosale File:Nageshswara & Chenna Kesava Temple - Mosale.jpg, Frontal view of the Nageshvara-Chennakeshava - twin Temples of Mosale

Notes

References

*Gerard Foekema, A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples, Abhinav, 1996 * *

External links

{{commons category, Nageshvara-Chennakeshava Temple complex
Hassan District Tourism
12th-century Hindu temples Hindu temples in Hassan district