Rameshvara Temple, Narasamangala Explained

Rameshvara Temple
Settlement Type:Hindu temple
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Karnataka, India
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Karnataka
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Chamarajanagar District
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Kannada
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30

The Rameshvara Temple (also spelt Rameshwara or Ramesvara) is located in the town of Narasamangala of Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka state, India. The temple was constructed during the 9th century rule of the Western Ganga Dynasty of Talakad.[1]

Temple plan

The temple plan is simple, yet it has a unique superstructure (tower or shikara) that is made of brick and stucco. The vimana (shrine with tower) is eleven meters tall and stands on a platform of moldings (called adhishthana) that is two meters high.[1] It has a sanctum (garbhagriha), a narrow closed hall (ardhamantapa or just inner mantapa), a large closed hall (mahamantapa).[1] The architecture is fundamentally dravidian in style. Some of the remarkable sculptures in the temple include that of Nataraj (a form of the Hindu god Shiva), saptamatrikas (the seven Hindu goddesses) and the Ganga king seated in state with his queen by his side.[1]

The temple received patronage from the later day Hoysala Empire kings as well. This is attested to by the two Kannada language inscriptions tablets (1291-1343 A.D) on the site that describes grants made by King Veera Ballala III to the local deity Ramanathadeva of Narasamangala.[1]

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ramesvara temple. Archaeological Survey of India, Bengaluru Circle. Archaeological Survey of India. 7 July 2012 .