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
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.nativeplanet.com/jabalpur/attractions/chausath-yogini-temple/
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#FreeHinduTemples
WOW ! I didn't know such a marvel existed . Jabalpur will definitely be on my places to cisit once the pandemic is officially over.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Research for this theme has been rewarding so far. So many hidden gems to explore. :)
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading this.
Thank you!
DeleteAbsolutely. 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. :)
I love all these tiny tiny details, everywhere, not an inch (or a cm!) without decorations. Beautiful architecture indeed.
ReplyDeleteQuilting Patchwork & Appliqué
Me too. I keep staring at the pictures, trying to absorb all the details. :)
DeleteThe Belur temples are breathtakingly beautiful with so many intricate details...Lovely series here
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jayashree. :)
DeleteOh 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.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. :)
DeleteCan 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'.
Kudos to all the research you are putting in here https://poojapriyamvada.blogspot.com/2021/04/chutzpah-newnormal-a2z.html
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Pooja. :)
DeleteThe Yogini mandir is calling me.
ReplyDeleteTime to plan the trip (after the virus slows down, of course). :D
DeleteI love the way you have detailed each aspect so succinctly!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Arti. :) Nice to meet you again.
DeleteI 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?!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, girl. They say it did rotate by itself. The signs are there.
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