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Saturday, April 3, 2021

Chanting at Chennakesava Continues to Chausath Yogini Mandir

Chennakesava Temple, Belur- Karnataka  

What does one say about the Hoysala architecture? 

The majestic carvings on the rocks, telling tales of the past

 

Vishnuvardhana won the war over the Cholas

Built the Kalasagar, to dedicate his victory 

To Chenna Kesava, the beautiful Bhagwan Vishnu


Source: Lost Temples

More than 1000 artists carved this soapstone marvel

Chiseling and polishing each murti to utter perfection 





Source: VedicFeed and Siddharth Sagar 

48 pillars and an intricately carved ceiling

The Navrang Mandapa houses wonders beyond imagination 

The 16th pillar Mohini boasts of 16 fluted star-shaped pillars

While the Narasimha pillar brings 

The ferocious deva to life on stone

As the pillar rotated on its own axis 

Before the shikara was dismantled 

By those who still failed to ruin its beauty 








Source: Lost Temples

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Chausath Yogini Temple, Jabalpur- Madhya Pradesh 

Not one, not two, but 64 murtis adorn 

The Chausath Yogini Aalayam 

The attendants of Devi Durga, they are 

Surrounding Prabhu Shiva, who stands in the midst of all

 

Yuvaraja II of the Kalachuri dynasty 

Built the mandir as a tribute 

To the yoginis who stood to protect the territory 

 

With 84 pillars, the aalayam rose high in 1000 AD 

Only to be destroyed by the Mughal invaders 

 






Source: Hindu Temples of India

But the future generations were in luck 

When two centuries later, 

Queen Alhanadevi restored the structure 

Building a Gauri Shankar mandir at the center 

The inscriptions date by 1155 CE, proof of her faith 

 

The largest Yogini aalayam survived and thrived

A sight for the eyes near River Narmada and Marble Rocks

Climb 108 steps, dear bhakts, bow to the yoginis

Breathing and alive in their sparkling murtis

Source: Navrang India 

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Sources:

https://www.inditales.com/chennakesava-temple-belur-karnataka/

https://www.karnataka.com/belur/chennakesava-temple/

https://www.incredibleindia.org/content/incredible-india-v2/en/destinations/jabalpur/chausath-yogini-temple.html

https://www.nativeplanet.com/jabalpur/attractions/chausath-yogini-temple/

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#FreeHinduTemples



18 comments:

  1. WOW ! I didn't know such a marvel existed . Jabalpur will definitely be on my places to cisit once the pandemic is officially over.

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    1. Thank you! Research for this theme has been rewarding so far. So many hidden gems to explore. :)

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  2. I have read about the Chennakeshava temple. But haven't been able to make it there so far. Those intricate architecture speaks volumes about the skill sets people in those times possessed, don't they? Amazing marvels.
    Loved reading this.

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    1. Thank you!
      Absolutely. To carve something as intricate on huge rocks without using any advanced tools is a marvel indeed.
      Hope you get to visit the place soon. :)

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  3. I love all these tiny tiny details, everywhere, not an inch (or a cm!) without decorations. Beautiful architecture indeed.
    Quilting Patchwork & Appliqué

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    1. Me too. I keep staring at the pictures, trying to absorb all the details. :)

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  4. The Belur temples are breathtakingly beautiful with so many intricate details...Lovely series here

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  5. Oh what a marvel the temple is! The architecture is mesmerising and alluring. I wrote a post about it in A2Z last year. Totally loved your take.

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    1. Thank you so much. :)
      Can you please share a link to your post with your comments? Your blogger profile is private, and I can't visit your blog to read your lovely posts. Even your name shows up as 'unknown'.

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  6. Kudos to all the research you are putting in here https://poojapriyamvada.blogspot.com/2021/04/chutzpah-newnormal-a2z.html

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  7. The Yogini mandir is calling me.

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    1. Time to plan the trip (after the virus slows down, of course). :D

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  8. I love the way you have detailed each aspect so succinctly!

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    1. Thank you so much, Arti. :) Nice to meet you again.

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  9. I had heard about the Blur temples... Wow that snap of the yoginis looks surreal. Thanks for sharing all the history... Did the pillar really rotate by itself?!

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    1. Thank you so much, girl. They say it did rotate by itself. The signs are there.

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