Lakshminarasimha Temple, Javagal

LAKSHMINARASIMHA TEMPLE , JAVAGAL

JAVAGAL is about 175 km from Mysore ( via Hassan and Halebid ), 220 km from Bangalore ( via Tiptur, Arasikere and Banavara ) and 70 km from Tiptur. The nearest Railway station is Banavara or Hassan.

JAVAGAL houses a HOYSALA structure, a TRIKOOTACHALA (ತ್ರಿಕೂಟಾಚಲ), i.e., a three celled temple. The temple enshrines SRIDHARA (ಶ್ರೀಧರ) in the cell facing east, VENUGOPALA  (ವೇಣುಗೋಪಾಲ) in the cell facing north and LAKSHMINARASIMHA in the cell facing south.

About the Temple under Study

Though the temple houses three deities, it is referred to as LAKSHMINARASIMHA TEMPLE. The temple is a soap-stone structure. The temple has a tower over the shrine for SRIDHARA. The central cell has a SHUKANAASI (ಶುಕನಾಸಿ). All the three cells open into a common  NAVARANGA. The MUKHAMANTAPA (ಮುಖಮಂಟಪ) of the temple is a later addition and is not HOYSALA in style.

Jagati, Adhishthaana and The Mythological Frieze

Jagati and Adhishthaana

The HOYSALA portion of the temple stands on a JAGATI (ಜಗತಿ) i.e., a platform. The JAGATI has the same plan as the main temple and therefore is STAR SHAPED. It has five cornices.

The ADHISHTHAANA (ಅಧಿಷ್ಠಾನ) or the BASEMENT has six cornices, the flat faces of which contain ( from the bottom upwards ), the following :
1. Elephants in procession.
2. Horsemen and camels.
3. Creeper scroll or LATAA PATTIKE (ಲತಾ ಪಟ್ಟಿಕೆ)
4. Mythological frieze.
5. MAKARAS with lions here and there.
6. Swans or HAMSA PATTIKE (ಹಂಸ ಪಟ್ಟಿಕೆ )

The fourth panel from the bottom in the ADHISHTAANA (ಅಧಿಷ್ಠಾನ ) is devoted to sculptures relating to mythology. A majority of the sculptures here relate to RAAMAAYANA. Some of the interesting sculptures in this panel are shown below.

1. South of the porch

ASHTA DIKPAALAKAS  in procession.

2. South - East of NAVARANGA

SAMUDRAMATHANA (ಸಮುದ್ರಮಥನ )

3. South - East of NAVARANGA

DEVAS drinking AMRITA

4. East of South Cell

SHIVA destroys the three cities. His army is led by KUMAARA riding on the peacock.

5. East of South Cell

GAJAASURAMARDANA - SHIVA destroys the elephant demon.

6. South of the main Cell

RAAMA shoots through the seven palm trees.

7. West of the main Cell

Monkeys searching for SEETAA, enter the SWAYAMPRABHA CAVE and reach the ocean.

8. West of the main Cell

HANUMANTA looks into a telescope and sees LANKA.

9. North of the main Cell

The monkeys bridge the ocean.

10. West of the North Cell

RAAMA'S victory is celebrated.

11. East of the North Cell

KIRAATAARJUNEEYA (ಕಿರಾತಾರ್ಜುನೀಯ ) - ARJUNA slays the boar, fights SHIVA, floors him and obtains boon.

Wall Decorations and Wall Images

Wall Decorations and Wall Images

The photo above is that of a section of the wall of the temple. The wall is divided into two halves : the UPPER and the LOWER HALVES. The division is made through a CORNICE ornamented with beaded pendants and small KEERTIMUKHAS (ಕೀರ್ತಿಮುಖಗಳು) with a scroll band running above it. Above the scroll band is a row of turrets found on pilasters. Under the turrets may be noticed small figures of YAKSHAS (ಯಕ್ಷರು), and  deities.

The lower part of the wall is sculptured with a row of large images, about 2' high. On their pedestals is generally a scroll band and above them are creeper TORANAS.

Wall Images - Part 1

Wall Images - Part 1

This portion has three images namely :
1. Sthaanaka KESAVA (ಸ್ಥಾನಕ ಕೇಶವ) ( S-C-G-P )
2.PARASHURAAMA  (ಪರಶುರಾಮ)
3.LAKSHMEE-NARASIMHA (ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ನರಸಿಂಹ). Kannada inscription : MALITAMA (ಮಲಿತಂಮ).

Wall Images - Part 2

Wall Images - Part 2

The second portion of the wall has five images namely :
1. KAALINGAMARDANA
2. A female musician with cymbals.
3.NAARAAYANA ( P-G-C-S ).
4. A female with padma and phala.
5. HARIHARA ( akshamaala, trishoola, chakra, shankha )

Wall Images - Part 3

Wall Images - Part 3

The third portion of the wall has the following images :
1. A woman with PADMA and PHALA.
2,3,4,5. DHARANEEVARAAHA (ಧರಣೀ ವರಾಹ) with a consort on either side and GARUDA (ಗರುಡ) on the left ( Kannada inscription : MALLITAMMA ).
6,7,8. Sthaanaka MAADHAVA (ಸ್ಥಾನಕ ಮಾಧವ) ( C-S-P-G ) with a consort on either side.
9. BALI and VAAMANA (ಬಲಿ ಮತ್ತು ವಾಮನ)

Wall Images - Part 4

Wall Images - Part 4

This part of the wall is to the south of the south cell. Eleven images adorn this part. They are :
1. TRIVIKRAMA (ತ್ರಿವಿಕ್ರಮ) with a lifted leg.
2. A woman with a bunch of flowers.
3. GOVARDHANAGIRIDHAARI (ಗೋವರ್ಧನ ಗಿರಿಧಾರಿ)
4. A woman holding PADMA and PHALA
5,6,7.  LAKSHMEENAARAA
YANA (ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನಾರಾಯಣ) in the middle (6) flanked by a female attendant on either side.
8. Sthaanaka GOVINDA (ಸ್ಥಾನಕ ಗೋವಿಂದ) ( G-P-S-C ).
9. Sthaanaka VISHNU (ಸ್ಥಾನಕವಿಷ್ಣು) ( P-S-C-G ). PAMAAYANA (ಪಮಾಯನ) is the sculptor.
10. MOHINI (ಮೊಹಿನಿ).
11. Nritya SARASVATEE (ನ್ರಿತ್ಯ ಸರಸ್ವತೀ).

Wall Images - Part 5

Wall Images - Part 5

This part is to the west of the south cell. This section has the following eight images :
1. Bearded BRAHMA.
2,3,4. Sthaanaka MADHUSUDANA (ಸ್ಥಾನಕ ಮಧುಸೂದನ) ( S-P-G-C ) in the centre (3) flanked by a female attendant on either side ( MALLITAMMA is the sculptor ).
5,6,7. LAKSHMEENAARAA
YANA in the centre (6) flanked by CHAAMARADHAARINIS (ಚಾಮರಧಾರಿಣಿಯರು).
8. A woman with PADMA and PHALA.

Wall Images - Part 6

Wall Images - Part 6

The sixth part of the wall has seven images which are :
1. A woman with a parrot plucking fruits.
2. MOHINI molested by a monkey.
3,4,5. VAAMANA (ವಾಮನ)(C-G-P-S) with a consort on either side.
6,7. INDRA and SHACHI (ಇಂದ್ರ ಮತ್ತು ಶಚಿ ) on AIRAAVATA (ಐರಾವತ) to fight with KRISHNA and SATYABHAAMA.

Wall Images - Part 7

Wall Images - Part 7

Seven images adorn this part of the external wall namely :
1. KRISHNA and SATYABHAAMA on the shoulders of GARUDA.
2,3. VAAMANA ( C-G-P-S ) with a consort to his left ( MALLITAMMA is the sculptor ).
4,5,6. SREEDHARA (ಶ್ರೀಧರ) ( C-G-S-P ) with an attendant on either side. There is a Kannada inscription below which reads :
Sree Sreedhara devaru - Mallitamma (ಶ್ರೀಧರ ದೇವರು ಮಲ್ಲಿತಮ್ಮ)
There is one more inscription in Kannada, one below the other -

ha 9 ಹ ೯

si  2 ಸಿ ೨

ro 2 ರೊ ೨

ta ha  pa 1 ಟ ಹ   ಪಾ ೧

A woman attendant on either side.
7. GARUDA

Wall Images - Part 8

Wall Images - Part 8

This portion of the wall has fourteen images as stated below :
1. PRAHLAADA (ಪ್ರಹ್ಲಾದ).
2. Ugra NARASIMHA.
3,4. VENUGOPAALA (ವೇಣುಗೋಪಾಲ) with a chaamaradhaarini (ಚಾಮರಧಾರಿಣಿ) to his left.
5. BALARAAMA (ಬಲರಾಮ)i.e., HALAAYUDHA (ಹಲಾಯುಧ).
6,7. HRISHEEKESHA (ಹೃಷೀಕೇಶ) ( C-P-S-G ) with LAKSHMEE (ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ) to the right.
8,9,10. VAIKUNTHANAARA
AYANA (ವೈಕುಂಠನಾರಾಯಣ) with a c
hamaradhaarini on either side.
A Kannada inscription below reads : SANAMAADA BADAGI MALAIYANA MAGA KAIYA MAADIDA (ಸನಮಾದ ಬಡಗಿ ಮಲೈಯನ ಮಗ ಕೈಯ ಮಾಡಿದ)
11,12,13. PADMANAABHA (ಪದ್ಮನಾಭ) ( P-C-G-S ) with a consort on either side.
14. Ashtabhuja nritya LAKSHMEE (ಅಷ್ಟಭುಜ ನೃತ್ಯ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ  ) ( paasha, lambahasta, padma, ankusha, swargahasta, paasha, phala and kalasha ). Drummers are seen below.
Kannada inscription reads :
MALITAMMA LAKSHUMIDEVI (ಮಲಿತಂಮ ಲಕ್ಷುಮಿದೇವಿ)
Note :
Authorities on the subject opine that the Kannada inscription below VAIKUNTHANAARAAYANA belongs to around AD 1500. They therefore are of the opinion that probably the hand was broken and it was set right around that year.

Wall Images - Part 9

Wall Images - Part 9

Eleven images have lent beauty to this portion of the wall. The images are :
1. YOGANAARAAYANA (ಯೋಗನಾರಾಯಣ)
2,3,4. DAAMODARA (ದಾಮೋದರ) ( S-G-C-P ) with a consort on either side.
Kannada inscription
 :
DAAMODARA DEVARU, MALLITAMMA
(ದಾಮೋದರ ದೇವರು ಮಲಿತಂಮ)
5,6,7. LAKSHMEENAARAA
YANA (ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನಾರಾಯಣ) with consorts. An elephant is seen below LAKSHMEE.
8,9,10. SANKARSHANA (ಸಂಕರ್ಷಣ) ( S-P-C-G ) with a consort on either side.
11. Aaseena LAKSHMEE ( shankha, chakra, kalasha and abhaya )

Wall Images - Part 10

Wall Images - Part 10

This portion which is to the north of the main cell and shukanasi has 16 beautiful images as stated below :
1. Nritya SARASVATEE (ನೃತ್ಯ ಸರಸ್ವತೀ) with ten hands ( lamba, padma, broken, ankusha, chinmudra, paasha, broken, jewel, pustaka ).
2,3. VAASUDEVA(ವಾಸುದೇವ ) ( S-C-P-G ) with LAKSHMEE to his left.
Kannada inscription VAASUDEVA (ವಾಸುದೇವ).
4. A woman with parrot and fruits.
5,6,7,8. KODANDARAAMA (ಕೋದಂಡರಾಮ) with SEETAA (ಸೀತಾ) to the left and LAKSHMANA (ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಣ) and HANUMANTA (ಹನುಮಂತ) to the right.
9,10,11. PRADYUMNA (ಪ್ರದ್ಯುಮ್ನ) ( S-G-P-C ) with a woman on either side.
12. Aaseena SARASVATEE with four hands ( akshamaala, ankusha, paasha and pustaka ).
13,14,15,16. Ugra NARASIMHA with a consort on either side and GARUDA on the right.
NOTE :
CHINMUDRA,  is a YOGIC POSTURE  where the thumb and the index fingers touch the tips while the other three fingers are extended. The hand rests on the knee with the palm facing down.

Wall Images - Part 11

Wall Images - Part 11

This part of the wall has six images namely :
1,2. ANIRUDDHA (ಅನಿರುದ್ಧ) ( G-S-P-C ) with a consort to his left.
3,4. PRADYUMNA ( S-G-P-C ) with a consort on the left.
5. PURUSHOTTAMA  (ಪುರುಷೋತ್ತಮ) ( P-S-G-C ).
6. Shatbhuja nritya PAARVATEE (ಪಾರ್ವತೀ) with GANESHA (ಗಣೇಶ) on the right and SHANMUKHA (ಷಣ್ಮುಖ) on the left and a lizard on the pedestal. Six hands ( akshamaala, lamba, ankusha, swarga, paasha and phala ).
Kannada inscription CHIKAMALITAMMA (ಚಿಕಮಲಿತಂಮ).

Wall Images - Part 12

Wall Images - Part 12

Five images are found on this portion of the wall namely :
1. MAHISHAASURAMA
RDINI (ಮಹಿಷಾಸುರಮರ್ದಿನಿ). Sculptor MALLITAMMA.
2,3. ADHOKSHAJA (ಅಧೋಕ್ಷಜ) ( G-S-C-P ) with Consort to his left (3).
4. A woman feeding a parrot.
5. MOHINI playing with and feeding cobras.

Wall Images - Part 13

Wall Images - Part 13

Eight images adorn this part of the wall. They are :

1. MOHINI ( part of the previous portion ).
2,3,4. LAKSHMEENAARAAYANA ( 3 ) with a consort on either side.
5,6,7. Sthaanaka NARASIMHA (6) ( P-G-S-C ) with a feminine figure on either side.
8. Ashtabhuja nritya VAISHNAVEE (ಅಷ್ಟಭುಜ ನೃತ್ಯ ವೈಷ್ಣವೀ) ( akshamaala, lamba, sword, shankha, svarga, chakra, shield and Kalasha )

Wall Images - Part 14

Wall Images - Part 14

This part of the wall has eleven images. They are :
1. Ashtabhuja Sthaanaka BHAIRAVEE (ಅಷ್ಟಭುಜ ಸ್ಥಾನಕ ಭೈರವೀ) with goblins and dog.
The hands hold sword, trishoola, arrow, drum, bowl and bowl ).
2. A woman dancing with cymbals in the hands.
3,4. Sthaanaka ACHYUTA (ಸ್ಥಾನಕ ಅಚ್ಯುತ ) ( P-C-S-G ) with a consort on his right.
5,6,7. LAKSHMEENAARAA-
YANA (6) with a consort on either side.
8,9,10. Sthaanaka JANAARDANA (ಸ್ಥಾನಕ ಜನಾರ್ದನ) ( C-S-G-P ) with a consort on either side.
11. YOGAANARASIMHA (ಯೋಗಾನರಸಿಂಹ).

Wall Images - Part 15

Wall Images - Part 15

There are eight images lending beauty to this part of the wall. The images are :
1. VENUGOPALA.
2. DAKSHINAAMOORTI (ದಕ್ಷಿಣಾಮೂರ್ತಿ). He is wearing a coat and a cap ; and is holding a DANDA (ದಂಡ) and a bowl.
3,4. Sthaanaka UPENDRA  (ಸ್ಥಾನಕ ಉಪೇಂದ್ರ) ( G-C-P-S ) with a consort to his right.
5,6,7.LAKSHMEENAARAAYANA with a consort on either side ( this block has been blackened by the devotees ).
8. Woman holding PADMA and PHALA.

Wall Images - Part 16

Wall Images - Part 16

The sixteenth division of the wall has the following five images :
1.Chaturbhuja sthaanaka LAKSHMEE (ಚತುರ್ಭುಜ ಸ್ಥಾನಕ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ) ( chakra, shankha, kalasha and padma )
(There is a Kannada inscription, which is very hard to read ).
2,3,4. Sthaanaka UPENDRA ( G-C-P-S ) with a consort on either side.
5. Taandava GANESHA (ತಾಂಡವ ಗಣೇಶ) with a mouse on the pedestal feeding on sweets.
Kannada inscription : CHIKA MALLITAMMA (ಚಿಕಮಲಿತಂಮ).

Wall Images - Part 17

Wall Images - Part 17

This is the last part of the wall. It has three images :
1. Aaseena SARASVATEE (ಆಸೀನ ಸರಸ್ವತೀ).
2,3. Sthaanaka KRISHNA (ಸ್ಥಾನಕ ಕೃಷ್ಣ) ( G-P-C-S ) with a consort to his left.
The image of HARI seems to have been concealed.

Eaves and Parapet

Eaves

Parapet

The eaves have beaded pendants and dental KEERTIMUKHAS. The parapet is formed of a series of turrets.

The Tower over the Temple

The Tower over the Temple

The stone tower (i.e.,the VIMAANA ) over the main shrine is three storeyed. It is of the usual HOYSALA type. It has on its faces not only sculptured turrets but different forms of VISHNU. The projection over the SHUKANAASI has a KEERTIMUKHA. On top of the VIMAANA is a metal KALASHA.

Mukha Mantapa of the Temple

Mukha Mantapa

The MUKHA MANTAPA does not match the other parts of the temple. It seems to have been added at a later date. The steps leading to the temple is flanked by dwarapalakas. The porch inside has stone benches on either side and they are supported by bell-shaped pillars. The ceiling of the porch has the ASHTA DIKPAALAKAS, and a gallery of lions with concentric rafters connecting the rib beams.

There are two cells, of which one is empty and the other has an image of sthanaka VISHNU. There is a sculptured log of wood, about 6ft high in this cell. It is believed that it is the trunk of a TULASI PLANT which had grown up on an ant hill and the image of LAKSHMINAARAAYANA was concealed behind this TULASI PLANT.

Navaranga of the Temple

The NAVARANGA is a dark hall of nine ANKANAS (ಅಂಕಣಗಳು). Its door way has DWARAPAALAKAS. On the lintel of the doorway is found a KAALINGAMARDANA. The western wall of the NAVARANGA has two turreted niches housing GANESHA and CHAAMDUNDI (ಚಾಮುಂಡಿ).The pillars in the NAVARANGA are round and bell shaped.

Bhuvaneshvaris

The depressed ceilings ( BHUVANESHVARIS ) are very interesting. They are nine in number. Commencing from the east doorway and proceeding clock-wise they are as stated below :

1. Circular gallery with concentric circles and plain pendant.
2. Eight-pointed star-shaped gallery with an image of AGNI in the lower portion of the pendant.
3. Circular gallery.
4. SHREECHAKRA (ಶ್ರೀಚಕ್ರ) gallery.
5. Octagonal gallery.
6. Twelve-pointed star shaped gallery.
7. Round gallery with concentric circles.
8. Sixteen-pointed star shaped gallery.
9. Central ceiling : Octagonal gallery with concentric circles above.

Garbhagrihas of the Temple

The temple being a TRIKOOTA, has three GARBHAGRIHAS (CELLS).

Venugopala

In the south cell, stands on a GARUDA PEETHA (ಗರುಡ ಪೀಠ ) stands a VENUGOPALA, 6 ft high.

Lakshmeenarasimha

In the north cell is LAKSHMEENARASIMHA, also on a GARUDA PEETHA.

Sreedhara

The main cell has a SHUKANAASI attached to it, with JALANDRAS (perforated stone screens). In the roof of this cell is found nine PADMA MEDALLIONS. Inside the GARBHAGRIHA stands on a GARUDAPEETHA an image of SREEDHARA (ಶ್ರೀಧರ ) (C-G-S-P). It may be noted that it is very rare to find SREEDHARA as the main deity of a temple.

The Mahaadwaara

The Mahaadwaara

The MAHAADWAARA of the temple is about 18 ft high and 7 ft broad. It is a late  VIJAYANAGAR construction. The GOPURA over the door-way has disappeared. There is hardly anything about the MAHAADWAARA.

Date of the Temple

It is not exactly known as to when the temple was built, because no inscription relating to the temple has been found. Therefore the date of the temple can only be guessed from the architectural details. The temple under study closely resembles the temple at NUGGEHALLI. Further, many of the images here are the works of MALLITAMMA who worked at NUGGEHALLI which was built in 1246. It is guessed therefore that the temple at JAVAGAL was built between 1250 and 1260.