Mahakuta group of temples

Mahakuta is an important Hindu temple complex consisting of about 15 smaller temples in the Indian state of Karnataka.

Location

Mahakuta located in the Bagalkot District in the north of Karnataka at a height of about 540 m above sea level. inst. The place is located about 14 km east of Badami and is well served by buses, taxis or a rented bicycle. The temple complex is located in an oasis-like, water and wooded valley. In the center of the complex is a trimmed walls and always filled with water tank.

History

Little is known about the early history of the temple with about 15 temples; a - since the early 20th century in the Adil Shahi Museum of Bijapur be imputed - pillar inscriptions from Mahakuta is dated to the period around 600 - from this period, however, no more temples have survived. Another inscription with information about a foundation ( gems, silver honor screen and a piece of land ) in favor of Mahakutesvara Temple (see below) is placed there and dates from the period around 700 Due to their structural form and its rather simple decorations are assigned to the most preserved temples of Chalukya period ( second half of the 7th century) - they were so built at about the same with the church in Aihole.

Temple

The temples of Mahakuta consist mostly of only one cella ( garbhagriha ) and a small, flat-roofed portico ( mandapa ) - a length or width dimension, as can be observed in the slightly earlier, partly simultaneous temples of Aihole, is not in Mahakuta determine. Mostly large and smooth -hewn - - In addition, the Temple of Mahakuta from stone blocks are brick; which are so important for the early architecture of Aihole pillar play no role in Mahakuta.

In contrast to the roughly contemporary temples in Aihole, the preserved temples of Mahakuta usually have a tower structure above the cella, where two building types occur: a high towering shikhara tower with pillows or gourd-shaped capstone ( amalaka ) in the north Indian Nagara style or an overall flatter pyramid roof ( vimana ) with a dome-shaped keystone in the South Indian Dravidian style. However, the Shikharas missing the northern India around 800 on temple roofs usual expectant jug or vase -like attachment ( Kalasha ).

Almost all the temples stand on a - the upstanding structure of floods and freely moving animals protected - base zone, which also causes an ' increase ' of the temple in a figurative sense. Most of the temples of Mahakuta are oriented to the east; of their names - esvara well as the many Nandi sculptures suggest that they were dedicated to the god Shiva.

Vishnu Temple

The cella of the - possibly Vishnu in his incarnation as Narasimha consecrated - the temple is assembled from large, precisely hewn stone blocks and divided by wall niches in the exterior. The one of the oldest - largely preserved - belonging copies of its kind Shikhara tower absorbs the outer wall structure of the cella and aims - slightly curved curvilinear - skyward. The solid looking pillars of the portico are adorned only in the upper half with bas-reliefs; here you can find vegetable motifs and garlands, but also two birds ( goose and peacock) can be seen. The decor of the slightly downgraded Portalgewändes is also designed quite simple: The usual Ganga and Yamuna figures missing, but at least there are some figures in relief ( right: female figure, tree guards, and left again lovers, tree and ascetic with long strands of hair). The inner walls of the sanctum - a later erected here Shiva Lingam - are unarticulated and undecorated.

Mallikarjuna Temple

The Mallikarjuna Temple is significantly different from most other temples in the temple complex of Mahakuta. A comparatively elongated porch ( mandapa ) rests on two slim pillars and is covered with wood and reeds; rest on flat surfaces. However, the current building dates from a later period; whether it has replaced an older, smaller stem, is unclear - the approximately 3.20 m from the portal remote support pillars and the outer dimensions of the platform, however, make this unlikely. The roof of the cella is stepped several times and concludes with a dome-like structure that significantly influences from the South Indian Dravidian tradition - shows. These influences can also be found at the small shrine in the foreground and the Mahakutesvara Temple.

Sangamesvara Temple

The Sangamesvara Temple is located directly on the large water tank in the center of the temple complex. In his appearance ( flat-roofed porch and shikhara tower over the cella ), he is not very different from the Vishnu Temple; it is somewhat larger in size and worked fine. The niche on the southern outer wall contains a beautiful statue of Shiva as Lakulisha: The God only two arms is shown on the back of a forced down demons figure; his penis is erect; a hand holding an ax, the other is open; the long hair of the god 's curly and hangs down to the shoulders. The also only two-armed Götterbildnisse the other two outer wall niches - Ardhanarishvara ( with a total of more feminine forms ) and Harihara - are of exceptional artistic quality. A stone Nandi Bull is situated in front of the temple entrance and overlooks the Shiva lingam inside the undecorated Cella.

Mahakutesvara Temple

The Shiva also has a dedicated Mahakutesvara Temple - today whitewashed - Roof construction in the South Indian Dravidian style. Close to several stone sculptures (among Krishna, Durga as Töterin the buffalo demon ( mahisasurmardini ) and several lingams and Nandi ) were erected; a - originating from the 16th or 17th century - marble temple pavilion in Islamic style forms can be found. In the anteroom the aforementioned to 700 originating from the time table is set up with a foundation inscription. In a covered shed is a wooden temple car as it is often used in southern and eastern India during processions.

Other temples

The other temple ( Kalakalesvara, Chandrakeshava, Pinakapani and others) are similar in most cases to those already mentioned in the Nagara style. The large water tank ( Vishnu Pushkarni = ' lotus pool of Vishnu ') is a smaller shrine with a four-faced Shiva Lingam, which symbolizes the all directions, that is, the whole world full universality of Shiva.

Importance

Apart from its cultural and historical significance as an important link between North and South Indian architectural traditions and ways of thinking of the largely untouched by tourism temple complex of Mahakuta offers a variety of insights into the informal handling of many Indians with their religion and their cultural heritage.