Tarakeshwara Temple, Hangal

Tarakeshwara Temple, Hangal

Did you know that the Tarakeshwara Temple in Hangal has an octagonal hall with a 20-foot (6 m) diameter lotus carving (pictured) as its roof?

Did you know that the Tarakeshwara Temple (pictured) built with grey-green chloritic schist is said to be one of the best edifices erected in the Kalyana Chalukyan architectural style influenced by Hoysala architecture?

The Tarakeshwara or Tarakeshvara Temple, a Hindu temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva as Tarakeswara is located in Hangal, Karnataka, in India. It has unique architectural marvels of medieval times. Its historicity is established by the old Kannada inscriptions of Kadamba king Kamadeva of the Hangal branch (c.1180) and Hoysala king Veera Ballala II (c. 1196) seen in its open mantapa. The initial construction was done by Kadantha dynasty but in later times Kalyanachalukyas did major additions.

Legend link the Hangal town as a place called Viratnagar where it is believed where the Pandavas of the epic Mahabhara ttook shelter in disguise during their Ajnatavasa ..

Architecturally, this temple is built in the Kalyana Chalukyan style influenced by Hoysala architecture. It is built with grey-green chloritic schists and has intrinsically carved walls and ceilings. It houses the principal deity of Tarakaeshvara, a form of Lord Shiva as a Shiva linga in the sanctum sanctorum. The large hall in front of the sanctum has a uniquely large domical ceiling of 6 m diamtere sculpted in the form of a lotus, The lotus design is created by raisng ceiling rise in concentric circles towards the centre, making patterns of the folds, and then droppingdown again as it reaches the apex. It is famously known as the "lotus of Hangal". The lotus celing is supported by eight finely lathe turned pillars.Next to each of the eight pillars, there are sculpted stone pillars which mark the Guardians of the Directions (ashtadikpalaka).

Within the main temple complesx, there is a hall supported by 12 pillars worshipping Nandi, the bull mount of Shiva. This hall and an adjacent hall are provided with an inclined balcony for sitting. The columns are made in a "lathe-turned" octagonal polished form and carved with geometric designs. The two halls are topped by stepped-pyramid roofs. The exterior walls are profusely ornamented with sculptures of miniature temples and other images.

The temple complex also houses the Ganesha temple, in its northeast corner, which is oriented to the south. The temple has a "stepped plan" with a sanctum preceded by a square-shaped open hall. Done in the Nagara style, the tower (shikhara) is made of several miniature towers in north Indian style. The hall has a parapet with many carvings.

 The temple complex has three memorial stones sculpted with religious and military scenes, located in front of the halls. It also has a 12th-century hero stone which shows contemporary battle weapons.

The Tarakeshwara temple is a listed monument of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Hangal town is 75 km from Hubli in Karnataka which is 370 km away from Bengaluru city.

Source: Extracts from article in Wikipedia with my inputs in June 2016.

Narasipur Char