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