Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Nuggihalli_LakshmiNarasimha_temple.JPG|thumb|right|250px|LakshmiNarasimha Temple, Nuggihalli]]

{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}

'''Nuggehalli''' is a town in [[Hassan district]] in [[Karnataka]] state, India. It is located on the Tiptur-Channarayanapatna state highway. It is about 50 kms from Hassan city. It is well connected by road with Bangalore, the state capital. Nuggehalli is home to two beautiful Hoysala temples, the Lakshminarasimha temple built in [[1246]] CE and the Sadasiva temple built in [[1249]] CE by Bommanna Dandanayaka, a commander in the [[Hoysala]] kingdom during he rule of king [[Vira Someshwara]]. The town was called Vijaya Somanathapura in ancient times and was founded as an ''agrahara'' (place of learning) by Bommanna Dandanayaka. Prior to coming under the control of the Hoysalas, the area was under the Cholas who had built a Jayagondeshwara temple. The temple later was also patronised by king [[Vishnuvardhana]] in [[1121]] CE.

{{Infobox Hindu temple

| name = Lakshminarasimha temple at Nuggehalli

| image = Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli.JPG

| alt = A 13th-century Vishnu temple in Nuggehalli

| coordinates = {{coord|13|00|39.4|N|76|28|31.3|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}

| map_type = India

| state = [[Karnataka]]

| country = [[India]]

| district = [[Hassan District|Hassan]]

| locale = Nuggehalli

| deity = [[Vishnu]], [[Lakshmi Narasimha]]

| architecture = [[Hoysala architecture|Hoysala]]

| year_completed = c. 1246 CE

| creator = Bommanna Dandanayaka

| website =[http://www.nuggehalli.org www.nuggehalli.org]

}}

The '''Lakshmi Narasimha temple''' is a 13th-century Hindu temple with [[Hoysala architecture]] in Nuggehalli village, Hassan district, Karnataka, India. This three shrine Vaishnava complex is dedicated to [[Keshava]], [[Lakshmi Narasimha]] and Venugopala. It was built in 1246 CE by Bommanna Dandanayaka, a commander in the [[Hoysala Empire]] during the rule of King [[Vira Someshwara]].

The temple is notable for its [[Vaishnava]] reliefs, [[Shaiva]] reliefs such as those of [[Harihara]], [[Dakshinamurti]], Chandikesvara and [[Ganesha]], [[Shakti]] reliefs such as of Durga Mahisasuramardini, dancing Lakshmi and [[Saraswati]], as well as Vedic deities such as [[Surya]] and [[Brahma]]. The lower section depicts scenes from the Hindu epics and the ''Bhagavata Purana''. The artwork completed and signed by the Hoysala artist Mallitamma are particularly notable.<ref>R Narasimhachar (1915), Annual Report Archaeological Survey of Mysore June 1913, pp. 2–3 with Plate II</ref>

===Lakshmi-Narasimha Temple===

This is a good example of a richly decorated Hoysala temple built in the ''trikuta'' style (three ''vimana'' or shrines) with fine sculptures adorning the walls. The material used is Chloritic Schist ([[Soapstone]])<ref name="stone">The Western Chalukya carvings were done on green schist (Soapstone). This technique was adopted by the Hoysalas too, Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent, Takeo Kamiya</ref> and the temple is built on a ''jagati'' (platform) that closely follows the plan of the temple.<ref name="jag">This is a Hoysala innovation, according to Arthikaje, ''History of Karnataka - The Hoysalas''</ref> The size of the original temple can be considered small, to which a larger open ''mantapa''(hall) was later added. The three shrines are located around a central closed ''mantapa'' with 9 bays.<ref name="bay">A bay is a square or rectangular compartment in the hall, Gerard Foekema, A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples pp 52, pp 93</ref> The ceiling of the closed ''mantapa'' is supported by four lathe turned pillars and is deeply domed in the center.<ref name="lathe">This is a common feature of Western Chalukya-Hoysala temples, A Concise History of Karnataka, pp 117, Dr. S.U. Kamath</ref> The central shrine is the most prominant and has a large tower. This shrine has a ''navaranga'' (vestibule) that connects the shrine to the ''mantapa''. Consequently, the ''navaranga'' also has a tower that looks like an extension of the main tower and is called the ''sukanasi'' or nose. The other two shrines have smaller towers and because they have no vestibule to connect them to the central ''mantapa'', they have no ''sukanasi''.

[[Image:Nuggihalli Sadashiva temple vimana.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Sadashiva Temple, Nuggihalli]]

From outside, the temple actually looks like a ''ekakuta'' (single shrine) temple because the two lateral shrines are simply extensions of the wall of the ''mantapa''. Their towers are a later addition. This is a classic example of a ''trikuta'' that looks like a ''ekakuta''. A large open hall with tall pillars with "faces" was added during later times making the original porch and closed ''mantapa'' look like the inner portion of the temple. The central shrine has five projections per side and the tower is complete though without the ''kalasa''.<ref name="kalasa">water pot like stone structure on top of the tower. This is often lost over the centuries and normally seen replaced by a metallic pinnacle, Gerard Foekema, A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples, pp 27</ref> Since the shrine is square in plan, the topping roof (helmet like sculptured stone) follows the same plan. There are three tiers of decorative smaller roofs bearing their own ''kalasa'' that form the body of the tower. The superstructure on top of the vestibule forming the nose also has two tiers of decorative roofs. This is why the ''sukanasi'' looks like an extension of the main tower. The two lateral shrines also have five projections per side. The top of these shrines and the wall of the ''mantapa'' are crowned with a row of decorated roofs just like the main shrine.

==Location and date==

The temple is of a later Hoysala style and below the superstructure of the ''vimana'' run "eaves" all round the temple.<ref name="eave">An eaves is a projecting roof, overhanging the wall, Gerard Foekema, ''A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples'' pp 93</ref> It projects about half a meter from the wall. There is a second eaves running about a meter below the upper eaves with decorative towers placed between them. The wall images of Gods and Goddesses are below the lower eaves and there are 120 such sculptured panels in all below which are six different mouldings of equal size. This broadly is called horizontal treatment. The six mouldings of the base is divided into two sections. Going from the very base of the wall, the first horizontal layer contains procession of elephants, above which are a horsemen and then a band of foliage. The second horizontal section has depictions from the Hindu epics and ''puranic'' scenes executed with detail. Above this are two friezes of ''yalis'' (or ''makara'', an imaginery beast) and ''hamsas'' (swans). The ''vimana'' tower is divided into three horizontal sections and is even more ornate than the walls.<ref name="yali"> Art critic Percy Brown calls this one of the distinguishing features of Hoysala art, ''A Concise history of Karnataka'', pp 134, Dr S.U. Kamath</ref>

Nuggehalli, also referred to as Nuggihalli or Nuggelli, is located in Channarayapatna taluk of Hassan district in Karnataka state, India. It is located on the [[Tiptur]]-[[Channarayapatna]] state highway and is about 50&nbsp;km from Hassan city (NH 75, SH 47). It is about 80&nbsp;km southeast of [[Halebidu]], and is well connected by road with [[Bangalore]], the state capital.<ref name="decor"/>

The town was called Vijaya Somanathapura before the 14th-century and gained importance as an ''agrahara'' (place of learning) during the time of Bommanna Dandanayaka. The Lakshmi Narasimha temple was built in 1246 CE by Bommanna Dandanayaka, a commander in the [[Hoysala Empire]] during the rule of King [[Vira Someshwara]]. It is a good example of 13th century [[Hoysala architecture]]. Located a short distance away in Nuggehalli, and built around the same time is the [[Sadasiva Temple, Nuggehalli|Sadashiva temple]].<ref name="decor">Foekema (1996), p. 83.</ref><ref name="location3">{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr262005/spectrum1859142005424.asp|title=A haven for architecture lovers |access-date=2006-11-28|work=Spectrum, Deccan Herald, Tuesday, April 26, 2005 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070210222227/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr262005/spectrum1859142005424.asp|archive-date = 2007-02-10}}</ref>

The icons in the panels are mostly [[Vaishnava]] and they are attributed to two well known Hoysala sculptors, Baichoja and Mallitamma.<ref name="sculptors">An article in Spectrum, Tuesday, April 26, 2005 [http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr262005/spectrum1859142005424.asp], Gerard Foekema, ''A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples'' pp 85</ref> There are few icons of [[Shiva]] in the form of [[Bhairava]] and [[Bhairavi]] also. Baichoja's sculptures are on the south side of the temple and have a certian peace and dignity about them. Mallitamma's sculptures are on the north side and while thay are not as fine, they are lively and have greater variety.<ref name="malli"> Gerard Foekema, A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples, pp 85</ref> The three shrines contain the images of Venugopala, Keshava and Lakshminarasimha, all forms of [[Vishnu]].

==Description==

[[File:Lakshminarasimha temple, Nuggehalli Karnataka.jpg|thumb|left|Floor plan of the Lakshminarasimha temple, Nuggehalli]]

[[File:Lakshminarasimha temple at Nuggehalli in Hassan district southwestern view.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Lakshmi Narasimha temple, view from the southwestern corner]]

[[File:Shrine outer wall with projecting minor shrine (aedicula) in Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli.JPG|thumb|upright|Shrine outer wall with projecting minor shrine (aedicula) in Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli]]

This is a good example of a richly decorated Hoysala temple built in the ''trikuta'' (three towers) ''[[Vimana (tower)|vimana]]'' (shrine) style with fine sculptures adorning the walls.<ref name="kuta1">Quote:"Most Hoysala temples are either ekakuta (one tower), dvikuta (two towers) or trikuta, Foekema (1996), p. 25</ref> The material used is Chloritic Schist, more commonly known as [[Soapstone]])<ref name="stone">Quote:"The Western Chalukya carvings were done on green schist (Soapstone). This technique was adopted by the Hoysalas too, ''Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent'', Takeo Kamiya</ref> and the temple is built on a ''[[Jagati (temple)|jagati]]'' (platform) that closely follows the plan of the temple.<ref name="jag">Quote:"This is a Hoysala innovation, {{cite web|title=History of Karnataka-Religion, Literature, Art and Architecture in Hoysala Empire |url=http://www.ourkarnataka.com/history.htm |author=Arthikaje, Mangalore |publisher=© 1998-00 OurKarnataka.Com, Inc |access-date=2006-11-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104095148/http://www.ourkarnataka.com/history.htm |archive-date=2006-11-04 }}</ref><ref name="platform">Quote:"The Jagati is in perfect unity with the rest of the temple", Foekema (1996), p. 25</ref>

The size of the original temple can be considered small, to which a larger open ''mantapa''(hall) was later added. The three shrines are located around a central closed ''ranga-mantapa'' with 9 "bays" (compartment between four pillars).<ref name="bay">Quote:"A bay is a square or rectangular compartment in the hall", Foekema, p. 52, p. 93</ref> The ceiling of the closed ''mantapa'' is supported by four lathe turned pillars which is deeply domed in the center.<ref name="lathe">Quote:"This is a common feature of Western Chalukya-Hoysala temples", Kamath(2001), p. 117</ref> The central shrine is the most prominent one and has a large tower. This shrine has a [[Vestibule (architecture)|vestibule]] that connects the shrine to the ''[[mantapa]]'' (hall). Consequently, the vestibule also has a tower (or superstructure, ''[[shikhara]]'') that looks like a shorter extension of the main tower. It is called the ''sukanasi''. According to Foekema, it looks like the "nose" of the main tower.<ref name="suka">Quote:"It is on the ''sukanasi'' that the Hoysala crest is placed". The crest consists of a sculpture of "Sala" the mythical founder of the empire, fighting the lion. Foekema (1996), p. 22</ref> The other two shrines have smaller towers and because they have no vestibule to connect them to the central ''mantapa'', they have no ''sukanasi''.<ref name="suka"/> The three shrines contain the images of [[Krishna|Venugopala]], [[Keshava]] and [[Lakshmi narasimha]], all [[avatar]]s of [[Vishnu]].<ref name="location3">{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr262005/spectrum1859142005424.asp|title=A haven for architecture lovers |access-date=2006-11-28|work=Spectrum, Deccan Herald, Tuesday, April 26, 2005 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070210222227/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr262005/spectrum1859142005424.asp|archive-date = 2007-02-10}}</ref><ref name="malli"/>

From outside, the temple actually looks like a ''ekakuta'' (single tower and shrine) temple because the two lateral shrines are simplysimple extensions of the wall of the ''mantapa''. Their towers are a later addition. This is a classic example of a ''trikuta'' (three shrines and towers) that looks like a ''ekakuta''.<ref name="kuta">Fokema (1996), p. 84</ref><ref name="classic">Quote:"Often in Hoysala temples, only the central of the three shrines has a tower. So the term ''trikuta'' may not literally by true", Foekema (1996), p. 24</ref> A large open hall with tall pillars with "faces" was added during later times making the original porch and closed ''mantapa'' look like the inner portion of the temple. The central shrine has five projections per side and the tower is complete though withouthas thelost its ''kalasa[[kalasha]]'' (decorative structure on top).<ref name="suka"/><ref name="kuta"/><ref name="kalasa">Quote:"water pot like decorative stone structure on top of the tower. This is often lost over the centuries and normally seen replaced by a metallic pinnacle", Gerard Foekema, A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples(1996), ppp. 27</ref> Since the shrine is square in plan, the topping roof (a helmet like sculptured stone) follows the same plan. There are three tiers of decorative smaller roofs bearing their own ''kalasa'' that form the body of the main tower.<ref name="kalasa"/> The superstructure on top of the vestibule (forming the nose also) has only two tiers of decorative roofs. This is why the ''sukanasi'' looks like an extension of the main tower. The two lateral shrines also have five projections per side. The top of these shrines and the wall of the ''mantapa'' are crowned with a row of decorated roofs just like the main shrine.<ref name="location3">{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr262005/spectrum1859142005424.asp|title=A haven for architecture lovers |access-date=2006-11-28|work=Spectrum, Deccan Herald, Tuesday, April 26, 2005 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070210222227/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr262005/spectrum1859142005424.asp|archive-date = 2007-02-10}}</ref><ref name="kuta"/><ref name="kalasa"/>

According to art critic Gerard Foekema, the temple is of a "newer" Hoysala style,<ref name="new">Foekema (1996), p. 85</ref> and below the superstructure of the ''vimana'' where the roof meets the outer walls of the temple, two [[eaves]] all round the temple.<ref name="eave">Quote:"An eaves is a projecting roof, overhanging the wall", Foekema (1996), p. 93</ref> The upper eaves projects about half a meter from the wall. There is a second eaves running about a meter below the upper eaves with decorative miniature towers ([[aedicule]]) between them. The wall images of Hindu deities and their attendants are below the lower eaves, and there are 120 such sculptured panels in all. Below these are six [[molding (architecture)|moldings]] of equal size with decorations in [[frieze]]. This according to historian Kamath is the "horizontal treatment" that is a hallmark of the later Hoysala temples.<ref name="new"/><ref name="treat">Kamath (2001), p. 134</ref>

The six moldings at the base of the wall is divided into two sections. Starting from the base where the wall meets the ''jagati'', the first horizontal lmolding contains procession of elephants, above which are a horsemen, and a band of foliage on the third. The second horizontal section starts with depictions from the Hindu epics and ''puranic'' scenes executed with detail. Above this are two friezes of ''yalis'' (or ''makara'', an imaginary beast) and ''hamsas'' (swans). The ''vimana'' tower is divided into three horizontal sections and is even more ornate than the walls.<ref name="location3">{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr262005/spectrum1859142005424.asp|title=A haven for architecture lovers |access-date=2006-11-28|work=Spectrum, Deccan Herald, Tuesday, April 26, 2005 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070210222227/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr262005/spectrum1859142005424.asp|archive-date = 2007-02-10}}</ref><ref name="new"/><ref name="mold">Foekema (1996), p. 24</ref><ref name="yali">Quote:"Art critic [[Percy Brown (scholar)|Percy Brown]] calls this one of the distinguishing features of Hoysala art", Kamath (2001), p. 134</ref>

The iconsimages in the panels are mostly [[Vaishnava]] in faith and they are attributed to two well known Hoysala sculptors, Baichoja and Mallitamma.<ref name="sculptors">AnFoekema article(1996), inp.85, {{cite web|title=A haven for architecture lovers |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr262005/spectrum1859142005424.asp|author=M S Dwarakinath|publisher=Decan Herald|work=Spectrum, Deccan Herald, Tuesday, April 26, 2005|access-date=2006-11-28 [|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070210222227/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr262005/spectrum1859142005424.asp], Gerard<!-- Foekema,Bot ''Aretrieved Completearchive Guide--> to|archive-date Hoysala= Temples'' pp 852007-02-10}}</ref> However, like many Hindu temples, other traditions are included. There are a few iconsimages of the god [[Shiva]] in the form of [[Bhairava]] andalong with his consort [[Bhairavi]] also. Baichoja's sculptures are on the south side of the temple and according to Foekema, have a certiancertain peace and dignity about them. Mallitamma's sculptures are on the north side. andAccording to him, while thaythey are not as fine, they are lively and have greater variety.<ref name="malli"> Gerard Foekema, A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples(2001), ppp. 85</ref> The three shrines contain the images of Venugopala, Keshava and Lakshminarasimha, all forms of [[Vishnu]].

==Gallery==

<gallery>

File:Molding frieze articulation on shrine outer wall in Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli.JPG|Molding [[frieze]] in [[bas-relief]] on the circumambulatory path around the temple at the Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Nuggehalli

File:Molding frieze and Hindu deities in relief in Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli.JPG|Temple's base moldings with Relief sculpture at Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Nuggehalli

File:Hindu deities and aedicule relief between eves in Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli.JPG|Hindu deities and [[aedicula]]e in relief at Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Nuggehalli

File:Lakshminarasimha temple at Nuggehalli north western closeup view.jpg|The original temple on the jagati, view from northwestern corner

File:Lord Krishna Carrying the Govardhan Mountain - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli 11.jpg|Krishna Goverdhandhara

File:Goddess Durga - Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli 17.jpg|Durga Mahisasuramardini

File:Relief sculpture of dancing Ganesha in Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Nuggehall.JPG|Dancing Ganesha

File:Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli - 7.jpg|Garuda

</gallery>

*

===Sadasiva temple===

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.

==Notes==

{{reflist|33em}}

<references/>

==Reference==

==References==

* Dr. Suryanath U. Kamath (2001). A Concise History of Karnataka from pre-historic times to the present, Jupiter books, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002).

* Gerard Foekema, A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples, Abhinav, 1996 {{ISBN |81-7017-345-0}}

* {{cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr262005/spectrum1859142005424.asp|title=A haven for architecture lovers |access-date=2006-11-28|work=Spectrum, Deccan Herald, Tuesday, April 26, 2005 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070210222227/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr262005/spectrum1859142005424.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-02-10}}

* {{cite web|url=http://www.ourkarnataka.com/history.htm |title=History of Karnataka, Religion, Literature, Art and Architecture in Hoysala Empire, Arthikaje |access-date=2006-11-28 |work=© 1998-00 OurKarnataka.Com, Inc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104095148/http://www.ourkarnataka.com/history.htm |archive-date=2006-11-04 }}

==External links==

==={{commons category|Lakshmi- Narasimha Temple===, Nuggehalli}}

{{Wikivoyage|Nuggehalli}}

*[https://www.flickr.com/photos/waterlemon/sets/72157602428923172/detail/ Photos in Flickr of Nuggehalli Temple and village]

{{Hindu temples in Karnataka}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1246]]

[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in the 1240s]]

[[Category:Hindu temples in Hassan district]]

[[Category:13th-century Hindu temples]]

[[Category:Narasimha temples]]