Sunday, March 6, 2011

Shri Chennakeshava Temple, Tandaga

Scultpor Engraved, Tandaga temple
Sculptor
     As per the legend, after the completion of  the temple, as a practice, all the sculptors took blessings of the Lord in the temple. It happened so that one of the sculptors turned into a stone after completing the Chennakeshava  Temple in Tandaga. The Gods were pleased with his dedication towards the construction of the temple and blessed  that he will remain a part of the temple. Wow what a story ! We were surprised to hear this story as a lot of questions cropped up in our minds seeing the very unusual sculpture of  a man bowing in reverence before the lord right at temple entrance.
Oath Stone
    There is an oath stone at the entrance which is believed to have immense power. Though the oath stone was frequently used in the olden days,  people now fear doing the same realizing its true power. A few years ago, there was an arrogant person in the village who had done some wrong  which the whole village was aware of and the man denied of his wrongdoings taking an oath on this stone. Gradually over time, his health deteriorated and wealth diminished. Situations forced him to move out of  the village and since then  nobody in the village dare to take an oath here. This is a true story told by a person who has witnessed the same.
Chennakeshava Temple, Tandaga
Chennakeshava Temple
  "Tandaga" is located in Turuvekere taluk, Tumkur district. Very few people are aware of the Chennakeshava temple built here by the Hoysalas in  the12 th century AD. The temple seems very simple in its external features but is very rich in its interiors. It is basically an Ekakuta temple, housing a beautiful idol of Chennakeshava. The idol is very admirable and wonderful. There are nine different types of ceilings in the main hall. The door frames and pillars are extensively carved.
Entrance to the Temple
Carving of Gajalakshmi on the Lintel
Lord Chennakeshava
Garbhagriha
Door Frames
Pattern on the Door Frames
Pillar
Ceiling1
Ceiling 2
Ceiling 3
Exterior Ceiling
Kalyana Mantapa
Side Wall of the Temple
Amazing Carvings on the Shikara
Statue of Lord Chennakeshava
Garuda Pillar
 The priest lives near by the temple. There is a Malleshwara temple in the village which is older than the Chennakeshava temple though it looked completely renovated. Unfortunately, this temple was locked and the priest was unavailable. 

Directions from Bangalore :  Bangalore - NH48 - Kunigal - Yediyur - Right turn - Mayasandra - Turuvekere - Left turn towards Nonavinkere  - about 7 kms Doddaghatta - left turn - about 5 kms- Tandaga

Distance from Bangalore : 125 kms

Places to visit around : Nagalapura, Hulikal, Nonavinkere, Vignasanthe, Turuvekere and many more .
Trip date : Feb 27' 2011

Related Posts:
1. Sri Eshwara Temple - Anekonda, Davangere 
2. Tambdi Surla Temple - Goa 
3. 100 lesser known temples of Karnataka

22 comments:

  1. Such a wonderful temple and What a fascinating story! The intrinsic and beautiful artwork speak for themselves how much dedication and love the sculptors would have had, no wonder one of them was blessed by the lords!

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  2. Another incredible temple and another fascinating story! Thank you so much for sharing the wisdom and beauty of your country with us. I do enjoy learning about them. I hope you have a wonderful week!

    Sylvia

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  3. A very interesting story indeed :) I like the 9 ceilings as well...

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  4. wow!! thats wonderful! legends such as these are what make our temples so interesting!

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  5. I used to play marbles in this temple premises with my cousins! The house behind that garuda pillar is my aunt's house. :)

    Are you sure that it's a Hoysala built temple?? Even I thought the same. But when I spoke to the priest during my recent visit, he said it was constructed by Chalukyas!! Not sure...

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  6. @Prashanth...I can tell you for sure it was not built by the chalukyas though it could have been built initially by the cholas and later on completely renovated by the hoysalas

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  7. I have heard quite a bit about this place, but never managed to go there. Good to see and know about the place through your informative post.

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  8. Such ancient temples are classic in their design and workmanship. I believe i missed this place even though i visited two temples in Turuvakere after a gr8 deal of hunting, one old temple was closed. Kudos

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  9. beautiful pics
    designs show the hardwork done by workers.

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  10. Wonderful temple with amazing carvings. Would love to see it in person.

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  11. OMG!!! I've never seen something like this... A sculptor himself depicted on stone!!! Amazing indeed!!!
    When I was a Baby at Kanchi!!!

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  12. Beautiful pics with enough of legends.

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  13. What a wonderful place ! And so close to Benglooru too ! Another one to my Bucket List !.... The pictures are brilliant .

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  14. Nice discovery Dhiraj another feather in your cap

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  15. This is where i studied my high school. Sri Shalivahana High School Tandaga

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