Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Sadashiva Temple – Nuggehalli

Nuggehalli village is a holy place having flamboyant, elegant, pleasant temples of Lord Vishnu and Shiva, belonging to the Hoysala period. This place has a historical past dating back to the early 1246 AD, during which, Hoysala King Someshwara ruled this region.
This is an unusual Hoysala temple built in the Ekakuta architecture with Nagara styled tower. The walls of the shrine and the Mantapa are severe looking as there is no sculptural decoration. Yet this temple is considered important from the architecture point of view. The temple is built on a Jagati and Soapstone is the material used. It is the most beautiful Hoysala Nagara temple that survives today. 
It conforms to the Nagara style architecturally with the presence of Nagara and the absence of Harantara recesses. The temple has a large “Linga” in its garbha gudi (sanctum sanctorum) and an equally large and extremely carved Nandi (bull) that sits in a room whose walls are made of small many windows carved in stone.
Also unique about this temple is one of its kinds life-size standing idol of the goddess Parvathi and also its unique Navagraha statues with unusual facing is another feature to be noted. There are two idols Lord Ganesh, one outside the Linga’s sanctum and the other at the entrance to the goddess’ sanctum.
In the common hall lie the beautifully carved statues of Chamundeshwari, Subramanya, Ganesha, Kala Bhairava, a carving containing the different avatars of Parvathi, and Soorya Narayana. The idols are unique as all the statues are carved with fine precision and that they are carved even from the back.
 A Bhumija element of architecture is reflected in the tower and the original temple consisted of a sanctum, a Sukanasi, Navaranga with porches and a Nandi mantapa. There is also a big hall with a shrine for the goddess, another hall on a lower level and a lofty Maha Dwara that exists today, was added to this original structure.
Nuggehalli is situated at the mid-point on the Tiptur-Channarayapatna state highway, the distance between them being around 60kms.

13 comments:

Anu said...

Beautiful pictures - yet again Rakesh! The work on the ceilings are gorgeous. Are these temple sites properly maintained? They are unique heritage of old India, and should be preserved for future generations too! Why are they not made UNESCO heritage sites is a big question running in my mind!

Ashok said...

One more nice architect of Indian Culture... Hats off to our Kings of Hoysala..

Anonymous said...

Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Whats up. Very nice web site!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing ll bookmark your site and take the feeds
clearance 2012! Buy clothing from our cheap Herve Leger Dresses outlet online

Anonymous said...

Hey. Very cool website!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderfu bookmark your site and take the feeds am glad to locate numerous useful information here in the post.
I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style of blogging.

Rakesh Holla said...

Thanks to all...!!!

Anonymous said...

I think that you can compose much on this issue, it mightiness not certainly be a prejudice circumstance but normally grouping are certainly not sufficiency to be able to utter upon much topics.

Anonymous said...

It seems like there are millions of blogs on the Internet today and the more I read the more I want to comment on them.

Anonymous said...


The real truth comes with being honest with yourself and your goals.

Anonymous said...


I wish to express my appreciation to the writer for rescuing me from such a predicament.

Rakesh Holla said...

Thanks to all:-)

Anonymous said...


Just wish to say your article is as surprising.

Anonymous said...


I was just seeking for this information for a while.

Swathi said...

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful post.I was looking for this information from long and i got if from your blog.Loved reading your post.Book tickets in advance in Greenline Travels a leading travel operator which provides you the best bus service with ease and comfort