Vijayanarayana Temple, Gundlupet Explained

Vijayanarayana 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
Iso Code:IN-KA

The Vijayanarayana Temple is located in the town of Gundlupet of Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka state, India. The temple dates back to the 10th century rule of the Western Ganga Dynasty, though it has received continuous patronage from later kingdoms as well, up to the 15th century Vijayanagara period. Tradition has it that the Hoysala Empire King Vishnuvardhana was responsible for the consecration of the deity Vijayanarayana, a version of the Hindu god Narayana (or Vishnu).[1]

Temple plan

The temple consists of a sanctum (garbhagriha), a vestibule (called sukhanasi) that connects the sanctum to the navaranga (closed hall where devotees gather for prayers) and an open hall (mandapa).[1] The base on which the walls of the navaranga are built (called adhisthana) has the several moldings. The walls that rise from this have slender decorative pilasters. The open mantapa that has several ornate pillars appears to have modified the original north–south entrances that existed in the navaranga (also called mukhamantapa).[1] The entrance to temple has an impressive row of yali pillars that depict warriors riding lions. The temple has numerous independent sculptures including Anantha, Garuda, and Hanuman, the monkey god from the Hindu epic Ramayana.[1]

References

Notes and References

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