Sri Amrutesvara Temple Amruthapura, Chikmagalur - Velpu.com (2024)

Architecture

Hoysalas named this god as Amrutheshwara as a rememberence to their commander in chief, Amrutheshwara who was killed in battle using unfair means by the enemy. Sri Amrutheswara Temple was faicng in East direction and Mantapa has many impressive pillars, smooth, ornate and lathe-turned. The square shrine sits below a super structure of shikhara and the shikhara of the Amrutesvara Temple is decorated with intricate carvings of Demon faces and Mini towers. The emblem of the Hoysalas, the Sala battling a lion on top of the shikhara.

Mandapams : The open and closed mantapas feature many inner-ceiling structures that have detailed floral designs. On the sukhanasi tower, an elaborate panel depicting Shiva slaying Gajasura. The temple has a total of 29 bays, with 25 of them found inside, while the other four are at the entrance. Sukanasi (vestibule), navaranga (dance hall) with a porch on its southern side and Mukha Mandapa (main hall) with entrances on its three sides. Though there is a possibility that the mukha-mandapa was constructed some time later than the temple, however all the structures are in Hoysala style and workmanship.

Temple Walls : The outer parapet wall of the open mantapa has a total of 140 panels of sculptures depicting the Hindu epics. Unlike in many Hoysala temples where the panels are small and carvings miniature, these panels are large. The Ramayana is sculpted on the south side wall on 70 panels with the story proceeding anti clockwise which is unusual. On the North side wall, all depictions are clockwise, the normal Hoysala style. 25 panels depict the life of Lord Krishna and the remaining 45 panels depict the epic Mahabharata. A unique feature of this Mukha Mandapa is its more than hundred miniature temple towers carved on its parapet wall. These models are carved in big and small sizes in alternate fashion and the temple has an original outer wall with enique equally spaced circular carvings. Other Sculptures on panels are Putrakameshti Yajna, Rama proves his strength, Setu Bandhan, false heads of Rama and Lakshmana shown to Sita, Hanumana lectures Ravana, fall of Ravana, Vasudeva at feet of a donkey requesting him not to bray, Bakasura Episode, Vatsasura Episode, Pralambasura Episode, Kaliya Episode, Goverdhana Episode, End of Kamsa, Kunti with her five sons seeking help from Bhishma, Lakshagrha on fire, Draupadi Svamvara, Khandava Forest on fire, Shishupal Episode, Kiratarjuniyam Episode and Naga couple.

A stone inscription in the complex is considered a great example of old Kannada poetry, the work attributed to Janna, one of the most famous poets of the region. The temple was built with Saligrama and the idol of Shiva has been brought from the river Gandaki in Nepal.

History

The deepa was built by Mysore Maha Raja and It is Burning from last three hundred years and it consumes a liter of oil per day. The temple was built by Veera Ballala-II the Hoysala King in 12th century.

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