District: Chikmagalur
Town: Amruthapura Town
Temple: Amrutesvara Temple
The famous Amrutesvara Temple is located in Amruthapura town, 67 km away from Chikmagalur in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka.
Amrutesvara Temple – Overview
The Amrutesvara Temple is located in a restful spot near the Bhadra River reservoir, in the Malnad region. It is surrounded by coconut and palm plantations. With the rise of the Hoysalas in the 11th and 12th centuries, Malnad experienced stupendous growth with many new cities being established around the region, and many new temples being built.
Amrutesvara Temple – History
The Amrutesvara Temple was built during the Hoysala period in 1196. It was built by a commander of the Hoysala Army, Amrutesvara Dandanayaka, of King Veera Ballala II. The famous Hoysala sculptor, Ruvari Mallitamma started his career with this temple. On the porch of the temple is a large stone inscription, a fine example of medieval Kannada poetry.
Amrutesvara Temple – Architecture
This temple, built in the Hoysala style, is exquisite. The outer walls are covered in circular designs. This temple is in the ekakuta style, it has just one vimana. There is a closed mandapa in front of the shrine leading to a big open mandapa. The tower over the square shaped shrine has carvings of Kirthimukas, tiny towers etc. The Sukanasi bears the Hoysala emblem of Sala fighting a lion.
The inner mandapa is supported by shining pillars topped by domes bearing floral designs. On the outside walls of the open mandapa, there are 140 panels depicting scenes from the great Indian epics. On the south wall, 70 panels depict the Ramayana, in a strange anti-clockwise direction. On the South walls scenes are carved in the normal clockwise direction. Here, 25 panels portray scenes from the life of Lord Krishna, while the remaining 45 panels depict the Mahabharata epic.
How to Get to Amrutesvara Temple
From Bangalore, get a bus to Chikmagalur and then to Tankere. From Tankere, you have to get an auto or private vehicle to reach Amruthapura.
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