Veeranarayana Temple, Gadag

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Veeranarayana Temple
Hindu temple
Entrance and gopura of the Veeranarayana temple in Gadag.JPG
Dravidian Gopura of Veeranarayana temple
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Veeranarayana Temple
Location in Karnataka, India
Coordinates: 15°25′N75°37′E / 15.41°N 75.61°E / 15.41; 75.61
Country India
State Karnataka
District Gadag
Talukas Gadag
Languages
 • Official Kannada
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)

Veeranarayana Temple in Gadag city is a Hindu temple known to have been built around 11th century by the Chalukyas of Kalyani. Gadag city is the administrative headquarters of Gadag district in the state of Karnataka, India. The primary deity in temple is the Hindu god Narayana (also known as Vishnu). The Veeranarayana temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India. Priests in the temple are Madhva Brahmins and is under their control. [1]

Contents

History

The Veeranarayana temple, Gadag was built during the times of Chalukyas of Kalyani. The temple was completed renovated in 14th century by the kings of Vijayanagara Empire. [2] [3] Prominent Indian scholar-philosopher Ramchandra Dattatreya Ranade also says the Veeranarayana temple of Gadag was built during Chalukya times. [4]

During the Vijayanagar empire era, according to the scholar D. Sheshagiri Rao, the notable Kannada poet Kumara Vyasa who called Gadag his home and the god Narayana (of Gadag) his favorite deity, wrote his Kannada version of the Hindu epic Mahabharata making adulatory references invariably to the deity of this temple at the end of each canto (sandhi) . [5] During Vijayanagara times this temple was reconsecrated by a Madhwa saint. Legend has it that it was in this temple, at a particular pillar in the hall, that Kumara Vyasa accomplished the epic having received divine inspiration from his deity. [6] [7] The priests in the temple are Madhva Brahmins of Uttaradi Matha. [8] An inscription of c.1539 inscribed during the rule of King Achyuta Deva Raya confirms a gift (Anandanidhi) given by the king to the temple.[ citation needed ]

Architecture and sculpture

The temple overall reflects multiple architectural idioms - Chalukyas of Kalyani, Hoysala and Vijayanagara. The entrance mahadwara ("main entrance") and gopura ("tower") are in the Vijayanagara style. This leads to a garuda stambha (lit, "eagle pillar") in the courtyard and the ranga mantapa ("gathering hall") which are in Hoysala style. The inner mantapa (hall adjoining the sanctum) is in the Chalukya style. The deity Veeranarayana (lit, "Brave Narayana") is depicted in a standing position, holding the attributes Conch (shanka), Wheel ( chakra ), Club ( gadha ) and Lotus ( padma ) in his four hands. The attire on deity ( dhoti ) is worn in a veera kaccha ("warrior style") giving the appearance of being "ready for battle". The deity is flanked by his consort Lakshmi and companion Garuda the eagle. [6]

References

  1. ↑ "Protected Monuments in Karnataka". Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India. Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  2. ↑ A Handbook of Karnataka. Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Gazetteer Department. 1996. p. 252. The place has the Someshwara and Rameshwara temples of Chalukyan style and the Veeranarayana temple of Chalukyan times, completely renovated in Vijayanagara times including the image of Narayana too replaced, the great Kannada poet Kumaravyasa composed his famous Kannada Bharatha in this temple. Gadag has a mosque of Adilshahi times, highly artistic.
  3. ↑ Lalit Chugh (2016). Karnataka's Rich Heritage - Art and Architecture:From Prehistoric Times to the Hoysala Period. p. 317. Veeranarayana temple is the main temple at present in Gadag. The temple was built during the Kalyani Chalukya times however it received continuous patronage till the Vijayanagara rulers. Kannada poet Kumara Vyasa composed his monumental work in this temple sitting before the image of the god. The temple is located within a huge complex.
  4. ↑ Ramchandra Dattatraya Ranade (1996). Introduction to Karnatak Mysticism. Karnataka University. p. 13. Veeranarayana , whose temple I happened to pass by at Gadag , and which is a remnant of the Chalukyan period a modern poem with the background of an ancient temple.
  5. ↑ Rao (1986), page viii, Kumaravyasa Mahabharata (abridged): An English Transcreation of Kumaravyasa's Karnata Bharata Kathamanjari, Parijatha Publications,
  6. 1 2 "Veera Narayana Temple". Karnataka.com. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  7. ↑ Tattvāloka, Volume 25, page 34, 2002, Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Educational Trust
  8. ↑ Suryanath U. Kamath (1996). A Handbook of Karnataka. Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Gazetteer Department. p. 235.
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