STELLATE SHAPED SHIVALAYA :
CHANDRAMOULESHWARA TEMPLE – also called as ‘Ishwara Temple’ or ‘Shivalaya’ is a rare architectural marvel in the entire line of Hoysala temples. It looks like three stars, in one line forming a unique constellation of their own.
This modest sized temple considered the most complex one in architecture among the Hoysala monuments because of its 16-pointed star shaped geometric combination.
This ‘Ekakoota’ temple is with a ‘Sukanasi’ and a bull sitting on it is not an original one and is a later addition.
Today only emptiness greets us with defaced sculptures. The pillars and ceilings of this temple stand as testimony for the expertise and craftsmanship of the unknown sculptor.
PERIOD : 1220CE – Constructed during the reign of Veera Ballaala-II.
LOCATION : ‘ARASIKERE’ was named after the lake (Kere) of the Queen(Arasi) – Arasikere means “Queen’s Tank” which derived its name from a large water tank built in 11 century AD by Mahadevi, Queen of Hoysala King Ereyanga (1098–1102 CE).
Arsikere, a commercial hub of Karnataka is on Bangalore-Shimoga Highway and to see this Marvel we have to detour shortly from the National Highway.
#hoysala #arsikere #shivalaya #sculptureenthusiast
Just History 