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Navalinga Temple

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Dravidian style architecture. Top view of Navalinga Temples at Kuknur, Karnataka
Decorative architrave above shrine entrance

The Navalinga temple was built in the 9th century by King Amoghavarsha I or his son Krishna II of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty. The temple is located in the town of Kukkanur (also called Kuknur), 4 miles (6 km) north of Itagi in Koppal district and 25 miles (40 km) east of Gadag in Karnataka state, India. Built in the South Indian dravida style,[1] the cluster of nine temples each has a linga, the universal symbol of Hindu God Shiva, and hence the name Navalinga (lit nine lingas).[2]

General plan

File:Somjyotir.jpg
Shiva linga

A clusters of temples, the Navalinga group appears to have been placed asymmetrically, without any particular order. Despite being constructed from inferior quality sandstone, the decorative finish is rich, though much of it is lost due to degradation of the shrine walls.[3] Each of the shrines has a South Indian style sikhara (superstructure). The ensamble has four mantapas (hall) in all, three of which are in a line going east-west, with three of them opening to the shrines. Each of the shrines has a Shiva linga in the sanctum, though the lintel above the entrance to includes an image of Gajalakshmi, the consort of God Vishnu.[2]

Sculpture

The pillars in the halls are of better quaility then seen at Pattadakal, indicating an advancement in this art from the previous centuries.[3] Architraves were popular and a very good example has survived and has two makaras (mythical beasts) with circular scales and florid tails.[2] The temple premises comes with two well preserved old-Kannada inscriptions. Fifteen inscriptions are found in the town in all and mostly date from 1005 CE to 1186 CE, though a few from the Vijayanagara period are also exist. The inscriptions mention grants to temples of various Hindu goddesses such as Chamundi, Ganga, Sarasvati, Kalikadevi and Mahamayi as well as God Mallikarjuna. It is proposed that the Navalinga temples may have originally been consecrated in honor of these goddesses.[3]

Notes

  1. ^ Kamiya, Takeo. "Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent,20 September 1996". Gerard da Cunha-Architecture Autonomous, Bardez, Goa, India. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
  2. ^ a b c Cousens (1926), p. 74
  3. ^ a b c Cousens (1926), p. 75

References

  • Kamiya, Takeyo. "Architecture of Indian subcontinent". Indian Architecture. Gerard da Cunha. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
  • Cousens, Henry (1996) [1926]. The Chalukyan Architecture of Kanarese Districts. New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India. OCLC 37526233.
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