Malleswara (Kalleswara) Temple, Hulikal

Malleswara (Kalleswara) Temple was not in our list unexpected Rajesh sir got some information about this place and by curiosity we headed to see this temple. After getting right direction from villagers we reached this wonderful place. This temple situated in corner of the Hulikal village and just 2 km from Aremalenahalli. This temple was recently re-constructed there are also a few detached stones standing in the enclosure.

Water has been taking place around the temple. This 12^th century Hoysala temple has been selected not for any exuberance of its decorative but still it was very attractive and a fine specimen of Hoysala architecture. Some of the images carved on the entrance walls and back side walls. It is a single celled Shiva temple and has an impressive and lofty stone tower.

Tandaga and Nonavinakere Temples

Venugopala-Nonavinakere

The Chennakeshava temple built in Tandaga by the Hoysalas in the12th century AD. The temple seems very simple in its external features but it’s very rich. The temple has mainly consisting of Garbagriha, Antarala, Navaranga & and small Mukha mantapa.

The outer wall of the temple has almost plain, two Dvarapalakas in door adorning it. An exquisitely carved stone railing or parapet adorned with intricately carved flower images and other relief flanks the Navaranga. In this temple also, the walls of the Navaranga have two niches for images. The sanctum has a rather plain ceiling. But the large pedestal has a beautiful statue of Lord Chennakeshava.

Later we headed to Nonavinakere there are two famous temples one is Betarya (Dravidean style) and Venugopala out of which Venugopala temple was built during the Hoysala dynasty. The place originally called Nonabanakere which dates back to the Nolamba times, is situated 10 km south-east of Tiptur town.

The Venugopala temple, said to be older than the Beteraya temple and originally of the Hoysala period, It is a Trikootachala structure with three cells dedicated to the main cell having Keshava, the north cell Yoga-Narasimaha and the south Venugopala. There are also five Shiva temples in the village the Shanteshwara, the Nonabeshwara, the Chandeshwara, the Kalleshwara and the Gaurishwara.

The temple is a fine example of Hoysala architecture. The west side of the temple consists of a square Garbhagriha, a Sukanasi, Navaranga and square Mukhamantapa. The Utsava idols consist in one corner of pillared-hall in the middle. Novaninakere has a large pond that is about 9 kilometers (5.6 mi) in diameter. In some seasons, the pond overflows through the surrounding countryside.

Kedareshwara Temple - Nagalapura

Those of us who have visited Nagalapura temples will surely remember being awestruck by the sheer magnificence of the temples, wondering and praising the ornamentation and embellishment. A notable feature of the decoration is the exuberance of detail and the effective repetition of the same motif. The of Kedareshwara temple & Keshva Temple was so much an architectural achievement as a remarkable example of tireless inventiveness and caprice in sculptured decoration.

The temple of Kedareshwara is situated about a furlong to the north and is located in a tiny enclosure. Here too, the shrine has a single sanctum without a tower opening into the vestibule which is connected to the Navaranga. The temple stands on a Jagati, the platform that can be reached by a couple of steps.

The outside of the temple walls again have the six friezes and the rows and carvings are exactly like the Channakeshava temple. The outer wall of the sanctum is a sixteen-cornered satellite structure with some finely carved images all around.  Above the friezes are numerous images of gods and goddesses protected by the turrets that run around. The top portion of the walls has rhythmic patterns of towers.

Some of the images on the wall include those of Ganesha, Mohini, Dharani-Varaha, Trivikrama, Lakshmi, Bhairava, Gajantaka, Brahma, Mahishasuramardhini,Arjuna,Shanumga, Parvathi-Paramesvara & Musical troops.

Nagalapura Chennakeshava Temple...

Nagalapura, a small hamlet lies amidst the fascinating natural scenery of Tumkur taluk, holds two unique temples noted for its rich architectural value. The two temples are good examples of Hoysala Art the antiquities of these temples are not yet known. However, from their architectural character and style, they may belong to 12th century AD.

After a lunch we drove to this place, after reached the village Rajesh sir first brought us to Chennakeshava temple. We collected the keys from the neighboring house and Ashok opened the main entrance of the temple

The temples made of soapstone consist of a sanctum, a Sukanasi, a Navaranga. The sanctum of Chenna Kesava temple holds six-feted Chenna Kesava idol beautifully sculpted. The ceiling and pillars are carved brilliantly.

As we moved around the temple, the images of gods and goddesses were seen on the walls of the temple. The exquisitely carved figures of various forms of Shiva, Ugra-Narasimha, Madanika, Apsara , Garuda , Mahishamardini, Lakshmi and Giridhara are neatly arranged on the outer walls of the temple.

The temple stands on the raised platform circumambulatory path to go round the temple, carved repetitive friezes for basement cornices, introduction of a eave between the figure sculpture and turreted pilasters, exuberant ornamentation of the figure sculptures, are all the predominant features of Hoysala architecture. After handover the key to the villager we headed to the Kedaresvara temple.