Suryanarayana Temple, Magala

Magala village situated in Hadagali taluk of Bellery district is famous for Kalyana Chalukyan temples. One such temple is the Suryanarayana Temple constructed in 1209 A.D. by Sameyada Garuda Marmmarasa of Magala. This temple is an ornate Chalukyan structure of great architectural merit.

The Suryanarayana Temple is located canter of the village. This temple is a Trikutachala or a temple with three Garbhagrihas housing the gods Somanatha, Venugopala and Surya. The main western Garbhagriha has a standing Venugopala (Prasanna Kesava) of 3 feet in height holding Sanka, Chakra and flute on another two hands which is profusely embellished with delicate carvings of great workmanship.

The Garbhagriha on the east accommodates a beautiful sculpture of Surya of the Chalukya period which is a rare specimen. The ceiling of the Mantapa is divided in twelve parts and each part divided into twelve compartments. The central ceiling has a large lotus with beautiful ornamentation and in the centre is a hanging lotus bud. The ceiling of the Mantapa is described as one of the finest among Chalukyan monuments.

Each Garbhagriha has an Antarala and all shrines are connected to a common Sabhamantapa preceded by a mukhamantapa facing south. In the interior the doorways of the Garbhagrihas and Antaralas are carved with five Sakhas and below the Sakhas are Dvarapalas.

Benches with slanting back rests run one side of the Mandapa. The four pillars are in form of half pillars supported on these benches. The Navaranga and the Mukhamantapa are joined together forming a large hall consisting of ten pillars.

The walls have niches in the Sabhamnadapa containing images of dancing gods. The ceilings of the temple are exquisitely carved and varied. They depict Kirtimukhas issuing scrolls filled with lotus and flying gandharvas, dikpalas, flowers and composite mythical animals.

Its outer walls are profusely embellished with series of pilasters, surmounted by delicately carved miniature Shikharas. The pillars are also impressively wrought.

One can find Jaina temple here with an image of Teerthankarain in the posture of contemplation is situated at 200 meters away from Suryanarayana Temple. On micro observation of the temple it can be concluded that the temple hailed from 11th century and concerned to early western Chalukya period of Karnataka.

Huvinahadagali, The village of flower boat

Huvina hadagali has a group of temples each with separate deity and are referred to as Kallesvara, Channakeshava, Benne Krishna, Yoganarayana. All these temples are nestled 100 meters surroundings. From the inscription it becomes clear that Huvinahadagali was a great Shaiva & Vishnava center and was under Rebbaladevi wife of the brave Brahman general Ravideva period of Kalyana Chalukya.

Huvu means flower; Hadaga means boat and Halli means village. Therefore it is a village of flower boat. It is believed that when the city of Vijayanagara flourished flowers needed for temples and palace were floated down from Tungabadhra from this place. As if to confirm this even today it can be seen number of old wells and gardens in this place.

The Kallesvara temple in the town of Huvinahadagali, is a Kalyana Chalukyas temple as evidenced by an inscription of Kalideva has been dated to 11^th century A.D. The Kallesvara temple consists of a Garbhagriha, an Antarala, Mandapa and two Mukhamandapas at the east and south. The extant portion of the Adhishthana has the mouldings of Upana and Adhopadma.

 In elevation the indented walls have double pilastered turrets flanked by tall slender pilasters reaching up to the eves. At the Adhishthana level architectural members decorated with dentils support projecting eaves. In the region at Mukhamandapa S shaped massive eaves are provided. The Garbhagriha walls have niches projecting prominently with sloping eaves and turret above. The front sides of the niches have flying Gandharvas supporting bracket figures.

The Garbhagriha houses a small Siva linga on a pitha. Locals said it is Saligrama Shivalinga which is most sacred and powerful stone. The Garbhagriha doorways are elaborately carved with five Sakhas. At the base of each Sakha are beautiful female figures with Dvarapalas. On the lintel is a band of hanging festoons and the Lalata has a figure of Gajalakshmi. The Antarala doorway is simple with Purnakumbha based pilaster.

 The square Navaranga has four Chalukyan pillars of great beauty with a moulded base. The figures on the lower block of the pillars include Madhava, Padmanabha, Hrishikesa, Kesava, Manmatha, sculpture of Ganesha are excellent examples of Chalukyan art. Channakeshava temple is situated next to the Kalleshara temple this temple consists of two Garbhagrihas, Antarala, Naaranga and two Mandapas.

 The other temple Murudevara Temple is very close to the Kallesvara temple, here 3 temples are enclosed within an open Mukhamandapa measuring 80*40 ft. There are 3 Garbhagrihas inside the Mandapa, at the extreme east beautiful Shrine of Yoganarayana, at center Shiva and west Bala Kriahna (Benne Krishna). Yoganarayana and Benne Krishna shrines are fully decorated with different types of detailed ornaments best examples of plastic art shows superb Chalukyan workmanship.

Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Holalu

Ranganatha Swamy (Anantha Shayana) Temple situated at Holalu village, which is situated 32km from Hovina hadagali and 4km from Mailara. This temple is assignable to the middle of 12^th century A.D. in the region of Vijayanagara. The temple facing East and it is Ekakuta temple. The Ranganatha is enshrined in the main sanctum hall, surrounded by Lord Ganapathi, Lord Brahma and Maha Lakshmi.

 Approximately 2 feet tall, 12 feet wide and 15 cm thick, the Ranganatha is carved from a single slab of dark green chlorite schist. Such fine grained soft metamorphic stones became the medium of choice of Karnataka’s artisans from the 11th to the 14th centuries, driving an aesthetic revolution in both sculpture and architecture.  

An elaborate ornamental archway springs from columns behind the attendants and encircles the principal figure. The fertility of the design the through finish the richness of ornamentation and the hard stone had turned out to be pieces of vax in the hands of craftsman of that bye gone era. The Ranganatha Swamy image is exceedingly handsome and the sculptor has reached his pinnacle here the perfectly carved is awe inspiring.

Beautiful idol of Lord Brahma

Recently the temple has renovated by the villagers. After seeing the wonderful temple of the Lord Ranganatha Swamy feeling blessed we started our return journey.