Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli
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The Lakshmi Devi temple is an early 12th-century Hindu temple complex in Doddagaddavalli village in
Hassan District Hassan is one of the districts of Karnataka, 31 districts of Karnataka, India. The district headquarter is Hassan, Karnataka, Hassan. It was part of ''Manjarabad Faujdari'' between 1832-81 (Mysore Commission, Commissioner's Rule of Mysore). In ...
, Karnataka, India. The main temple has four-shrines that share a common mandapa (hall), each sanctum being a square and aligned to a cardinal direction. The eastern shrine houses the Hindu goddess
Mahalakshmi Lakshmi (; , , sometimes spelled Laxmi, ), also known as Shri (, , ), is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism, revered as the goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity, beauty, fertility, sovereignty, and abundance. She along with Parvat ...
, the northern shrine is dedicated to
Kali Kali (; , ), also called Kalika, is a major goddess in Hinduism, primarily associated with time, death and destruction. Kali is also connected with transcendental knowledge and is the first of the ten Mahavidyas, a group of goddesses who p ...
, the western to
Shiva Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...
—who is worshipped as Lakshmi’s brother—and the southern shrine, once dedicated to
Vishnu Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation ( ...
, now stands empty due to widespread vandalism and destruction. The complex has a separate
Bhairava Bhairava (, ), or Kāla Bhairava, is a Shaivite and Vajrayāna deity worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists. In Shaivism, he is a powerful manifestation, or avatar, of Shiva.Kramrisch, Stella (1994). ''The Presence of Śiva''. Princeton, NJ: P ...
shrine northeast of the main temple, and four small shrines at the corners inside a nearly square ''prakara'' (compound). All nine temples are in the pyramidal north Indian style Nagara ''shikhara'', likely an influence from
Maharashtra Maharashtra () is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa to the south, Telangana to th ...
. The complex has additional smaller shrines.


Location and date

Doddagaddavalli is called ''Gadumballi'' in historic inscriptions. It is located about northwest from
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 Scotti ...
city, about south of
Halebidu Halebidu (IAST: Haḷēbīḍ, literally "old capital, city, encampment" or "ruined city") is a town located in Hassan District, Karnataka, India. Historically known as Dwārasamudra (also Dorasamudra), Halebidu became the regal capital of the ...
, and about southeast from Belur (NH 373). The temple is to the south side of the modern village, on the banks of a historic water reservoir. The Lakshmi Devi temple, was built in 1113 CE by a wealthy merchant Kalhana Ravuta and his wife Sahaja Devi during the reign of the famous Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana.


Architecture

The temple complex is within a seven feet high ''praakara'' (compound), almost a 115 feet square. It had a dwara-mantapa to its west and a dwarashobha to its east, but these along with the original compound decoration is now missing except for the door frames and the mantapa-like structure. It is likely that the original town was near the manmade reservoir. Inside the historic praakara were four small shrines at each corner, a design called ''parivaralayas'' in Sanskrit texts. In addition, to the northeast of the main temple, there is a fifth independent shrine dedicated to Bhairava. At the center is the ''chatushkuta'' (four-shrine) main temple with a shared mantapa. Thus, the complex consists of nine shrines. The Lakshmi Devi Temple is one of the earliest known temples built in the
Hoysala The Hoysala Kingdom was a kingdom originating from the Indian subcontinent that ruled most of what is now Karnataka, India, Karnataka, parts of Tamilnadu and South-Western Telangana between the 11th and the 14th centuries Common Era, CE. The c ...
style. The building material is Chloritic schist, more commonly known as
soapstone Soapstone (also known as steatite or soaprock) is a talc-schist, which is a type of metamorphic rock. It is composed largely of the magnesium-rich mineral talc. It is produced by dynamothermal metamorphism and metasomatism, which occur in sub ...
.Quote:"An idiom common to Western Chalukyas as well", Kamath (2001), p.136. Quote:"The Western Chalukya carvings were done on green schist (Soapstone). This technique was adopted by the Hoysalas", ''Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent'', Takeo Kamiya The temple does not stand on a '' jagati'' (platform). Three of the '' vimanas'' (shrines) have a common square ''mantapa'' (hall). The fourth ''vimana'', one at the north and dedicated to Kali, is connected to the ''mantapa'' via an oblong extension. The extension has two lateral entrances into the temple, one from east, the other west. The ''vimanas'' have their original ''phamsana''-style tower (superstructure) intact. These illustrate the Kadamba ''Nagara'' architecture.Quote:"The most prominent feature of the Kadamba architecture is their
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'' chamber ...
called Kadamba
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'' chamber ...
. The Shikhara is pyramid shaped and rises in steps without any decoration with a apex called ''stupika'' or ''kalasa'' at the top, Kamath (2001), p.38 . Quote:"This type of tower is common throughout Karnataka and is also called a ''Pamasana'', Foekema (1996), p.58
Of the nine shrines in this complex, eight vimanas are simple ''phamsana'' and symmetric within each set. The ninth vimana that opens to the east is different – it is a tritala (three storey) superstructure and is dedicated to goddess Lakshmi, thus making her the primary deity and giving this temple its dedicatory name. Each of the three ''vimanas'' that share a mandapa has an ardha-mantapa (vestibule) connecting it to the central larger square ''ranga-mantapa''. On top of the vestibule of each shrine is a ''
sukanasi In Hindu temple architecture a sukanasa (, IAST: śukanāsa) or sukanasi is an external ornamented feature over the entrance to the garbhagriha or inner shrine. It sits on the face of the sikhara tower (in South India, the vimana) as a sort of ant ...
'' (or "nose" because it looks like low extension of the main tower over the shrine). The ''sukanasi'' is a tier lower than the main ''phamsana'' tower over the shrine. All the four ''sukanasi'' are intact and so are the ''
kalasha A kalasha, also called Pūrṇa-Kalaśa, Pūrṇa-Kumbha, Pūrṇa-Ghaṭa, also called ghat or ghot or kumbh ( , Telugu: కలశము Kannada: ಕಳಶ literally "pitcher, pot"), is a metal (brass, copper, silver or gold) pot with a large ...
'' (decorative water pot like structure) on top of the main towers.Quote:"The ''kalasa'' is a water pot like structure that forms the highest point of the tower", Foekema (1996), p.27 The Hoysala emblem (the sculpture of a legendary warrior "Sala" fighting a lion) is mounted atop one of the ''Sukanasi''. The ''mantapa'' is open and square. It and the extension to the Kali shrine has a ''jali'' (perforated stone screens) to let light into the temples. The ceiling of the main hall is supported by eighteen lathe-turned pillars. Near Kali's shrine, there is stone statue of an emaciated skeleton-like goblin (''
vetala A vetala () is a class of beings in Hindu mythology. They are usually defined as a knowledgeable (fortune telling) paranormal entity said to be dwelling at charnel grounds. Reanimated corpses are used as vehicles by these spirits for movement. A ...
''), a reminder of her horrifying fierceness and power to inflict death.Quote:"The open ''mantapa'' of Hoysala temples are generally in a staggered square pan, called a cross in square", Foekema (1996), p.22 According to art critic Gerard Foekema, overall the temple has shows the pre-Hoysala elements of architecture. There is only one
eaves The eaves are the edges of the roof which overhang the face of a wall and, normally, project beyond the side of a building. The eaves form an overhang to throw water clear of the walls and may be highly decorated as part of an architectural sty ...
running round the temple where the main towers meet the wall of the shrine.Quote:"An eaves is a projecting roof overhanging the wall", Foekema (1996), p.93 At the base of the wall of the shrines are five moldings; between the moldings and the eaves, the usual panels of Hoysala sculptures depicting
Hindu Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...
gods A deity or god is a supernatural being considered to be sacred and worthy of worship due to having authority over some aspect of the universe and/or life. The ''Oxford Dictionary of English'' defines ''deity'' as a God (male deity), god or god ...
,
goddess A goddess is a female deity. In some faiths, a sacred female figure holds a central place in religious prayer and worship. For example, Shaktism (one of the three major Hinduism, Hindu sects), holds that the ultimate deity, the source of all re ...
es and their attendants is however missing. Instead, the entire space is taken up by decorative miniature towers on pilasters (called
aedicule In ancient Roman religion, an ''aedicula'' (: ''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, n." ''O ...
).Foekema (1996), pp. 57–59 The main shrine facing east has a image of the goddess
Lakshmi Lakshmi (; , , sometimes spelled Laxmi, ), also known as Shri (, , ), is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism, revered as the goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity, beauty, fertility, sovereignty, and abundance. She along with Parvat ...
with an attendant on either side. The image holds Vishnu's icons – a conch in the upper right hand, a ''chakra'' (discuss) in the upper left, a rosary in the lower right and a mace in the lower left. In the shrines facing north, south and west respectively are the images of
Kali Kali (; , ), also called Kalika, is a major goddess in Hinduism, primarily associated with time, death and destruction. Kali is also connected with transcendental knowledge and is the first of the ten Mahavidyas, a group of goddesses who p ...
(a form of
Durga Durga (, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Durga's legend centres around combating evils and demonic ...
), the god
Vishnu Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation ( ...
, and ''Boothanatha''
Linga A lingam ( , lit. "sign, symbol or mark"), sometimes referred to as linga or Shiva linga, is an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva in Shaivism. The word ''lingam'' is found in the Upanishads and epic literature, wher ...
(the universal symbol of the god
Shiva Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...
). A sculpture of ''Tandaveswara'' (dancing Shiva) exists in the circular panel at the center of the ceiling of the ''mantapa''. Other notable artwork are those of ''Gajalakshmi'' (form of
Lakshmi Lakshmi (; , , sometimes spelled Laxmi, ), also known as Shri (, , ), is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism, revered as the goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity, beauty, fertility, sovereignty, and abundance. She along with Parvat ...
with elephants on either side), Tandaveshwara and Yoganarasimha (
avatar Avatar (, ; ) is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means . It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, or spirit on Earth. The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appearance" is sometimes u ...
s of
Vishnu Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation ( ...
) found on the doorway of the temple.


Gallery

Image:Entrance to Lakshmidevi Temple in Doddagaddavalli.jpg, One of two entrances File:Close up view of Lakshmidevi temple at Doddagaddavalli.jpg, Kadamba ''
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'' chamber ...
'' (tower) with ''
kalasha A kalasha, also called Pūrṇa-Kalaśa, Pūrṇa-Kumbha, Pūrṇa-Ghaṭa, also called ghat or ghot or kumbh ( , Telugu: కలశము Kannada: ಕಳಶ literally "pitcher, pot"), is a metal (brass, copper, silver or gold) pot with a large ...
'' (pinnacle) File:View of Chatuskuta shrine towers over bounding wall in the Lakshmi Devi temple at Doddagaddavalli.JPG, ''Prakara'' wall'' (west side) File:Decorative water spout in Lakshmi Devi temple complex at Doddagaddavalli.JPG, Makara-pranala, a spout to drain sanctum ritual water File:A view of shrine with Kadamba nagara sikhara (tower) in Lakshmi Devi temple complex at Doddagaddavalli.jpg, Kadamba ''nagara'' ''shikhara'' (tower) File:Ornate lintel over entrance into sanctum in Lakshmi Devi temple complex at Doddagaddavalli.JPG, Ornate lintel over entrance into sanctum in Lakshmi Devi temple at Doddagaddavalli File:Shivagana sculpture inthe mantapa of the Lakshmi Devi temple at Doddagaddavalli.JPG, Emaciated goblin near Kali's shrine File:An ornate elephant statue at Lakshmi Devi Temple,Doddagaddavalli.jpg, An Ornate Elephant balustrade at the main temple entrance File:Ornated ceiling inside Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli.jpg, Ornated bay ceiling inside the temple File:Decorated Ceiling of Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli.jpg, Ornate ceiling File:Old Kannada inscription (12th-13th century) at Lakshmi Devi temple complex at Doddagaddavalli.JPG, Old Kannada inscription


References


Bibliography

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


External links


More information
{{Hindu temples in Karnataka Buildings and structures completed in 1114 Religious buildings and structures completed in the 1110s 12th-century Hindu temples Devi temples in Karnataka Hindu temples in Hassan district Lakshmi temples