Chennakesava Temple, Belur

Chennakesava Temple, Belur- A 900-Year-Old Wonder  

CHENNAKESAVA TEMPLE, BELUR

Recently, I visited  the Chennakesava temple  it completely mesmerized me with its amazing sculptures and intricate artistic galore. It is amazing artistry of the Drawidians.

Chenna means beautiful while Kesava refers to Lord Vishnu. Thus, the name – Handsome Vishnu. This temple is dedicated to the deity Vishnu.  It took over 100 years for the temple to be finished. This Temple construction was started by  the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana and completed by his grandson. The town of Belur is home to one of the grandest examples of Hoysala architecture. The Chennakesava Temple was built in the early 12th century.One can see  the intricate works of art and sculpture and feel the old-world spiritual charm of the site.The king had fought wars with the Western Chalukyas and had also defeated the Cholas. The temple was built after the land’s best architects and artists were recruited and engaged in producing new designs and styles that would be the hallmark of the complex.

Garuda Dhwaja Stambha is a holy flag pole dedicated to Garuda , the eagle bird who is the celestial vehicle of Lord Vishnu. The Stambha is 22 Feet high .

Garuda Deva 

Mounted on a star-shaped platform is a huge 42m high pillar or lamp post. This is right in the middle of the temple courtyard and the most amazing thing about this is – the pillar stands on its own! It does not have a foundation below it and since, it stands erect on its own weight, it is called as the gravity pillar.
Attractions in the temple complex include two ornate pillars, one of the Garuda and one with a lamp. The former was built during the Vijaynagar period and the latter is attributed to the Hoysala period.On the right of the temple is the Kappe Channigraya temple and a smaller temple dedicated to a Lakshmi reincarnation, the goddess Sowmyanayaki, sits slightly behind the two. On the left of the Chennakeshava temple, one can find the Ranganayaki temple.

As one enters this vast complex, a large rajagopura or gate arches above. The centre-piece the temple sits in the centre, facing the east, following the most followed orientation of temple architecture.

One can see the intricate works of art and sculpture on the MAHADWARA the main Entrance Gate of the temple. Ornate sanctum door.

On the right of the temple is the Kappe Channigraya temple and a smaller temple dedicated to a Lakshmi reincarnation, the goddess Sowmyanayaki, sits slightly behind the two. On the left of the Chennakeshava temple, one can find the Ranganayaki temple.

Queen Shantala of Hoysala wa the soul inspiration behind many carvings of beautiful women in and around Temple complex

Hoysala emblem 

Raja Lanchana : Royal Emblem of Hoysala

This sculpture of a young boy with furious lion on either side of the door at Belur is indeed the most historical statue as it represents the royal emblem of Hoysala dynasty.

HOY -SALA Emblem

Sudattamuni was a Rushi who was teaching number of students in his Gurukula. One day a furious lion entered the Gurukula and started attacking his pupils. There was a young student named 'Sala' who walked confidently towards the furious lion and  had a fight with it. Teacher threw a weapon to Sala shouting " HOY - SALA" which means " Kill the animal".  Sala fought with lion and killed it. This boy became the King . Hence his kingdom is known as Hoysala. 

Built with soapstone. On outside wall , there are beautiful carvings. At its highest, the temple stands 37 metres tall. Its outer walls are adorned with finely done artwork, with dancing girls in various postures. There are about 38 bracket figures ( Shila Balika ) outside the temple. Queen Shantala of Hoysala dynasty was the soul inspiration behind many carvings of beautiful ladies in and around the temple complex.

Madanika 

There were originally 40 madanakai, of which 38 have survived in damaged or good form. Two of these are Durga, three huntresses (with bow), others are dancers in Natya Shastraabhinaya mudra (acting posture), musicians, women dressing or doing make up, a woman with a pet parrot, men making music.A majority of these madanakai figures are also carved into miniatures in the sixth band of the outer wall around the pradakshina patha.
Madanikas 

One can see several dancing nymphs carved onto brackets on the wall. The madanikasor nymphs are said to have been modeled after the beautiful Queen Shantala, wife of King Vishnuvardhana. The most popular amongst these is the Darpan Sundari(Girl looking into the mirror). 
The madanikas are in different poses and some of the popular ones which gain the attraction of tourists and art enthusiasts include the lady with a parrot and the huntress.

There are a total of 42 bracket figures in the entire belur complex . This indicates how these brackets on the top of wall are designed.

OUTER WALL WITH BEAUTIFUL CARVING

Ravana , ten headed demon king lifting Mount Kailas is seen in this carving. Lord Shiva and Parvati are also seen on Nandi.

DIFFERENT FORMS OF VISHNU

One can  study the details of the wall sculptures at the Temple and will find many references and depictions of important events from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. 

WAR IS DEPICTED . A Warrior is looking through a instrument which looks like Telescope 

A careful observation would reveal subtle pieces of eroticism hidden amidst the detailed depictions. Animals that commonly feature in the wall sculptures include horses, elephants and lions.

THIS IS HOW PICTURE OF  WAR IS CARVED. YOU CAN SEE ROCKET LIKE WEAPONS . 

Narasinha Pillar
A point to note here is that the entire temple is made using “soap stone” and not metal. 
After  you enter the temple, the one thing that will amaze you are the numerous pillars of various designs. Most popular and intrinsic in terms of art, is the Narasimha Pillar. Easily identifiable with the red vermilion marks made by the devotees, this pillar is covered with miniature figures all over. It is said that the pillar has ball bearings on the top and could be rotated in its hay-days. 

NARSIMHA PILLAR 

The pillars of the temple exhibit some of the best details and finishing of sculpture and art work in the entire complex. The Narasimha pillar is one of the most popular of these temple pillars. There are a total of 48 pillars, all uniquely carved and decorated. The four central pillars were hand chiselled by artisans and feature madanikas or celestial damsels.

Ceiling of Temple 

BEAUTIFUL CEILING : NARASINHA CARVED IN THE CENTRE 

After entering  the main temple, things are much different and very beautiful . Each pillar is differently carved and ceiling is just beautiful and marvellous piece of art work.

The inside of the temple is quite dark and yet the black interiors gleam with the reflection of the little light that is there. 
Statue Of Mohini

MOHINI : Avatar of VISHNU This is the most notable idol.

Mohini is the female Avatar of Lord Vishnu. The fine details of Mohini’s statue and the glistening black stone makes it stand out among the rest of the architecture. On opposite side you see the Vishnu pillar which is equally amazing. Both these pillars are on either sides of the inner sanctum and cannot be missed.

Vishnu , This is on the other side of Mohini idol. One can see this beautiful carving with minute details. Mohini and vishnu idols ate the finest specimen of sculpture.

LORD VISHNU 

Along the outer walls of the main temple, you will see rows of carvings of various animals, scenes of Mahabharata and Ramayana and dancing damsels. 

OUTER WALL : CARVING OF DIFFERENT STORIES 

Each carving is perfect and has a certain symbolism. The elephants at the base reflect strength, while the lions above them were a symbol of courage. Right above them you will see rows of horses, which I suppose, stood for speed. As per the guide, there are around 600 plus elephants carved along the outer row.  Amazing, right?

There are many more important sculptures in the sprawling complex of the Temple. Some of them are the Gajasurasamhara (sculpture of Lord Shiva), a sculpture of Ravana, Durga killing Mahishasura and many others. There are multiple mini shrines too at the entrance of the temple. Another curious feature of these many sculptures is the signatures left by the artists of the period, giving us more insight into the lives and culture during the Hoysala period.

Narasimha's angry looking face,sharp tongue ,popped up eye ball and furious lord wearing demon's small intestine as garland : UGRA NARASIMHA - Fourth incarnation of Vishnu

Narasimha killing the Demon HiranyaKashipu on his lap by tearing demon's abdomen with his sharp nales takes one to the land of Indian philosophy and mythology.

DIFFERENT TEMPLE STYLES 

Siddhi Vinayaka 

The carving of standing Bramha holding chanting beads and water pot in his hans is seen on the outer wall of the temple.
One can see bell hanging right above his head with the support of 14 interlocked chain rope.Bramha,  is a prominent Indian God called Creator of the Universe is carved beautifully with minute details. He is the creator of material and spiritual Universe.
He is holding a 14 interlocked chain rope which represent 14 universes namely Satya Loka, Tapa Loka , Jana Loka, Mahar Loka,Svar Loka,Bhuvar Loka,Bhoo Loka, Atala Loka , Vitala Loka,Sutala Loka,Talatala Loka,Mahatala Loka,Rasatala Loka and Patala Loka.  These 14 Universes are created by Bramha.

BRAMHA : Creater of the Universe

WOW! Beautiful Carved Pillar with small temples for different Gods This is called Narsimha Pillar.It is popularly known as Index pillar.as it bears the miniature carvings of all the important carvings of the temple outer wall. It is very unique. This pole was rotatable in axis due to its unique ball bearing system..It is damaged now.  This entire pole is filled with carvings of many Gods and Goddesses in small blocs except one which indicates that God has many different forms and incarnations at the same tome God has no shape , sizeand the divine spirit is said to be formless. This is Nirgunkara roopa or Formless quality God.

When you just look up and spot the ornate circle in the ceiling, you say WOW! If due to the lack of light, you are  not able to capture the center well you can see the centre spot, and you will notice  a prominent carving of Lord Vishnu as Narasimha right in the center. 

LORD VISHNU