Heragu - Chenna Parswanatha Basadi

Front view of basadi

This Parswanatha Jain Basadi is a gem, which is standing in dilapidated condition. This basadi is in Heragu village, Hassan district. A detour from NH-75 takes us to this historic village which has some other temples in the proximity.

I was given information to visit this basadi from Vedantha Deshikachar. When I approached the priest to open the Keertinarayana temple, he told me to wait for sometime as he was busy doing pooja at his home. I was in dilemma for a moment, to wait or to visit basadi? Then without wasting time, I reached this basadi which is a few meters away from priest house.

Side view

The basadi is standing on a small hillock. I could not able to guess the style of construction whether it is trikuta or ekakuta. It has navaranga and garbhagriha. The side walls are later addition to the basadi it seems. The basadi has been taken up for cleaning by the villagers in the past years. Hence I found no littering inside the premises. 

Pillars are stepping stones

As we can see in the above image, some carved out pillar was underlaid for stepping to the basadi. I was happy that I could able to reach the basadi without any struggle of bushes surrounding it. Otherwise I might have turned back without getting inside. Appreciate the villagers initiative in regard to this.

Sky is the roof

The ceilings are carved with inverted lotus and a bud in center. The roof side covering are well designed with floral patterns. The roof seems to be fallen off I guess.

Intricately carved ceiling

                                                 

Broken roof support

An inscription records the construction of Jain temple at Heragu and consecration of a deity of Chenna Parshwa antha by Jakkavve. She was disciple of Nayakeerthi Siddanthachakravarthi of Mula sangha desiya gana Pustakagachccha and Konda kondanvaya for worship offerings of and feeding ascetics after making a request to king.

Turned pillars

Another record from Heragu records registers a grant of a land to the basadi at heragu by Hoysala king Ballala. Another inscription from this place mentions the grant of income from customs and tax on an oilman's house for a perpectual lamp in the temple of Chenna parshwa of Heragu by customs officers.

 

  

Pristine Pillar 

 

Turned pillar

Village view from the basadi

Chenna parswanatha broken idol

Main deity feet with guards

The main deity idol remaining parts are kept under the sun, infront of a house. Hope someday these parts might get back its value and concerned archeological department gets the attention of this village and Jain Basadi.

References:

EC Vol VIII Hn 147 Heragu ( V Hn 58 )p 378 -9

EC Vol VIII Hn (V Hn 59 ).379 380148 heragu

EC Vol VIII Hn 151 Heragu p 381-2

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/s4Stjn3C3RL2vLYa9

Heragu - Kali Kamateshwara Temple

Heragu-Kali Kamateshwara Temple

Here comes a historic temple from hoysala period Kali Kamateshwara temple which is at Heragu, Hassan. The temple is in ekakuta style and built in 1159 A.D. by Sovanathimmayya, a chief of Heragu village under Hoysala King Narasimha. The temple consists of a garbhagriha, sukhanasi, central hall and a porch which is similar to other hoysala temples in architecture.

This temple is located behind Keertinarayana temple at a walkable distance. The temple needs to be rejuvenated in order to attract visitors. Inside the temple it has got well carved idols. Present maintenance and cleanliness is highly appreciable.

Stone inscription

Adjoining to the temple, a stone inscription can be found. The inscription translation states that the temple is a gift by the Sovanathimmayya, the chief of Heragu on behalf of his King Narasimha. Though there is no signs in the outer structure to Hoysala architecture, the only evidence remaining is inscription.

Sukhanasi lintel

The central hall has non-turned pillars. The sukhanasi lintel has carvings of Gajalakshmi. To the right side there is a Shiva-Parvati idol, and to the left Kalabhairava idols can be found. As you can observe images, the carvings are chiseled with beautiful workmanship.

Shiva Parvati

In the above image, Shiva is sitting over Nandi and Parvati is sitting on the lap of shiva. The four handed shiva is holding trishula in right rear hand and rudraskshi mala in right front hand. Damaruga in his left rear hand and left front hand on the shoulder of parvati. The prabhavali is decorated with trailing plant.

Kalabhairava

Shivalinga

The garbhagriha has beautiful shivalinga. As you can see the inside premises and idols are maintained very well and I encourage other visitors to maintain the same discipline. The sukhanasi entrance walls are pierced for ventilation and air circulation. Since the entire temple is completely enclosed. 

Pierced wall

Exit view

The temple is currently under the maintenance and responsibility on a single family who is looking after it by performing daily rituals. The temple requires reconstruction and a trust or committee to be established to overcome the present scenario.

The latest information as on 31-08-2020 from Vedantha Deshikachar is that a new temple is being constructed at the village. Idols will be shifted to new location upon completion. Soon a new temple will come into light.

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/k6gYWTA24g9Jjt8L9

Other places at a walkable distance - Keerthinaryana Temple, Chenna Parswanatha Basadi

Nearby places - Harihareshwara temple, Yoga Narasimha temple, Omkareshwara temple

Heragu - Keertinarayana Temple

Temple front view

A detour from NH-75 takes you to a beautiful village called Heragu, which has a pack of historical places and temples. The Keertinarayana temple was my destination. It is just 22 kms from Hassan city and 16 kms from Shanthigrama town which also has historical temples.

A day before, when I was searching for the temple contact number, I came across a Facebook group. That is where I was introduced myself to Mr. Vedantha Deshikachar who is from Heragu village, guided me with detailed information and some more places to visit nearby.

Temple left side view

Temple right side view

I started my ride early in the morning to beat the summer heat. The ride was so cool and also the roads to the village was good. It was around 7.15 am when I reached. The temple was pleasant and neatly maintained. The temple was not yet opened. So I clicked some photographs. And in the mean time before the priest arrival, I visited Jain Basadi which is at a walkable distance behind the temple.

Rejuvenation inscription by SDMD Trust

The temple was rejuvenated under Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmothana Trust where they have inscribed detailed information of rejuvenation in front wall of the temple.

The Keertinaryana temple was built in 1218 A.D. by Jayabhattaya-nayaka who was a minister under Hoysala King Veeraballala-2. The temple is built in ekakuta style. It consists of a garbhagriha, sukhanasi, navaranga and a porch. It is one of the early Hoysals style with plain outer walls and a step like tower of uncarved blocks. The Kalasha is very fine and so also the Navaranga ceilings are well carved. The deity Narayana here is a two metres high which is flanked by the idols of Shridevi and Bhudevi.

Kadamaba shikhara with kalasha

Kadamba shikhara closeup views

The Kadamba shikhara tower rises in steps without any decoration with pinnacle (stupika or kalasha) on top. The tower is pyramidal shape and constitutes a series of horizontal step stages decorated with uniform series of quadrangular vertical projections and covering vestibule attached to vimana.

Rear entrance view

Temple Rear view

The temple has two entrances. One in east and another in west. The rear entrance is where it leads to Kali Kamateshwara temple about 50 metres ahead and going ahead another 50 metres it leads to the priest's home. When continued further 100 metres it will reach Chenna Parswanatha Jain Basadi which is now completely deteriorated. But the carvings are indeed great.

State protected monument board

Navaranga hall view

As stated above, the navaranga or central hall consists of four turned pillars which creates nine bays. The ceiling carvings are not much intricate compared to other hoysala temples.

Heragu Keertinarayana

Heragu Keertinarayana closeup view

The deity Keertinarayana is beautifully carved and is standing on a two feet high Garuda pedestal. The prabhavali or prabhamandala consists of ten incarnations of Narayana. The sukhanasi lintel has a carving of Kalinga mardana.

Sukhanasi lintel carving

Vedantha Deshikar and Ramanujar

Ganesha

The hall consists of Ganesha idol at the left side. And two idols of Vedantha Deshikar and Ramanujar also be seen at the right side. You can observe the wall piercing beside the sukhanasi entrance which is a specialty of this temple. The priest was telling that consecration of Goddess Lakshmi at the navaranga is going to be held near future.

Ceiling carvings

Pierced wall

Inscription translation

The priest and the guide

The priest named Seetharamabhatta (left side) was so humble, he came on requesting and performed his daily pooja and aarati. After spending couple of minutes at the temple, there came Mr. Srinivas (right side) to whom I was supposed to contact, introduced himself and took me to Kali Kamateshwara temple and Hebbagilu (village entrance through big door). I was surprised for a while how he founded myself, after a minute of thinking I came to know that Mr. Deshikachar initiated him to take around the village.

Village historical places

He took me to Kali Kamateshwara temple. Then we headed to see village Hebbagilu. The complex had Kote Ganapati, it is next to the hebbagilu. And adjoining to the hebbagilu there was Kote Anjaneya temple which has two Anjaneya and one Nandi idols. Couple of years back the temple has been dismantled as it was on the verge of collapsing. Few historians feel that this may have been built in the Vijayanagara period. Comparing this, Mr. Srinivas was suspecting that the village might be built like a fort and surrounding the village have had deep excavations.

Mr. Vedantha Deshikachar told that the Anjaneya temple will be reconstructing  at same location as per the original structure in coming days.

Heragu Hebbagilu

Behind the hebbagilu there is a vast tank which was built in 1213 A.D. And also there is a Kalyani in the village which is also built during beginning of 12th century. The Heragu village is a well planned and built with every facility for the villagers during Hoysala period. I wish visitors should not miss any of the places in the village.

He en-routed me to next destination. After leaving the village, I was thinking how generous and friendly the village people are!! A couple of time spent, he offered and took to me to take a sip of coffee at his home. Then I bid my last thanks to him and left.

Temple rejuvenation images

I was happy after visiting the temple because Mr. Vedantha Deshikachar who made my visit easier when I was in village. On request, the priest will help the visitors to show the temple. And the road condition is very good that travelers can visit a pack full of temples in this region. Shanthigrama, Hariharapura, Mudigere and Koravangala are some nearby places.

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/rM4cXeMd6FtYrLSt6

Agrahara Belaguli - Keshaveshwara Temple

Entrance view

Agrahara Belaguli is a small hamlet located at a distance of 25 kms from taluk headquarter Channarayapatna via Nuggehalli. Keshaveshwara temple was built by Keshiraja, the minister of the hoysala King Ballala II during 1210 AD. Temple has an ample area around which has no fencing. The detailed Shila Shasana is displayed at both sides of the south entrance.

Temple surrounding premises

Shila shasana on left and right 

This temple is in dvikuta style of hoysala construction built with soapstone. The garbhagriha has Eshwara in Linga form facing towards East. The next shrine has Keshava idol facing south. The western part to be the first built and the eastern part consisting hall and pillars are a later addition during vijayanagara period.

Shivalinga

 

Keshava

Kalyani

To the north-east, temple has a beautiful pond. As you can see it needs to be maintained to attract visitors and pilgrims to the temple. The temple has ample area around which requires complete protection by fencing or wall construction.

During hoysala period, the village was called by Keshavapura. The village consists of two large ponds named Keshava samudra and Lakshmi samudra which is beside the temple and on the left side while entering the village respectively.

Keshava samudra

Exit view

Jagati wall carvings

There are two entrances to Navaranga. The main entrance is to the east and opens to the dancing hall. The second gate is in the south and has a porch that opens outside the temple. Overall, one for Shiva and another for Keshava which has dwarapalakas or guards.

South entrance

Basavanna

dancing hall with turned pillars, notice diagonal opposite are same

Dancing hall views

Turned pillar

Inside the Navaranga, it has beautiful statues of Lord Ganesha, Kartikeya, Saraswati and Saptamatrikas. And the 9 ceilings has got intricate design and in the centre it has carvings of the Ashtadikpalakas. The sad thing I heard was that the Parvati idol have been stolen from the hall.

Ganesha and Saraswati

Kartikeya

Saptamatrikas

Garbhagriha lintel

Here, Lord Shiva is shown sitting on a pedestal and Parvati is seated on his lap. On the right is Ganesha, who is riding on a mouse, while Kartikeya is seated on a peacock on the left. Shiva's right leg is shown on Nandi's back and Parvathi's right leg is on Nandi's head. The chamaradharis and Lord Shiva's guard are shown on the sides. Brahma is shown near Ganesha and Lord Vishnu who is Shankha Chakra padma gadha, near Kartikeya.

Keshava and Eshwara

The above image is testimony to get the name Keshaveshwara Temple. There are no walls on the exterior of the temple. Although both shrines have towers, they are not Hoysala style towers. The original towers have somehow fallen apart. These towers might be later construction and they look strange.

Electric linemen

When I was waiting outside the temple for the gate to be opened, there came two electrical lineworkers who had come from Bagur Navile electrical board to repair lighting to the temple. The ugliest experience was that when I entered the temple, there was no lighting inside. Next time when you see lighting in the temple, thank these people for their work.

Palash tree

While I was driving near the temple I came across this beautiful Muttuga flower tree. Because it has got such a bright contrast color which attracts you. Suddenly I stopped my bike and went near the tree to see the flower. Then I remembered my childhood days that my father used to collect these flowers whenever we were visiting our home god which is Shiva during Shivaratri festival. This flower blooms only during dry season.

Palash flower branch

Palash flower close up view

Without second thought I collected some flowers quickly in a bag and you can scroll top to have a glance of the flowers offered to the gods.

The road condition is good and you can travel easily with a four wheeler to the temple.

The best time to visit is between 9-10 am as the priest would visit during this time. If not you can inquire the villagers and get connect to the priest for more details.

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/9zH2WyV7UZe83vn88