January 21, 2012
...continuing from Somesvaragudi of Haralahalli.
Galaganatha is a village south of Varada-Tungabhadra Sangama in Haveri district. In ancient inscriptions Galaganatha is referred to as Pullani.
Galagesvaragudi is a unique experiment of Kalyani Chalukyan temple architecture. The temple is east facing and situated on the bank of river Tungabhadra. The temple tapers right from its base to the top of the Shikhara. This temple is under the care of Archaeological Survey of India.
Simply beautiful!
The temple can be entered from 3 sides.
A pillar close to temple's southern entrance.
Kirthimukha close to the southern entrance.
The Sabha-mandapa is spacious with Sukhanasi on the perimeter. Large images of Adishakti, Ganapati, Suryanarayana, and Dashavatara Vishnu are placed in nests enclosed in the wall. The temple has spacious Garbhagriha with a massive Shivalinga in it. Nandi is seated opposite Garbhagudi door.
Solid square-based, lathe-turned and polished columns hold up the beams supporting the roof. The columns are tastefully decorated. This temple is a hangout of local youngsters; some come here to study their college subjects and some just to nap.
Ganapati.
Dashavatara Vishnu.
Suryanarayana.
Adishakti Parvati.
The sculptor has taken care of details very nicely. The way necklace is positioned is simply great.
Basavanna's features are very close to real oxen. Check out the veins on its face.
Two slabs with Halegannada inscription. These are supposed to be records of mantapa construction, donations and charities and, names of Kalyana Chalukya Mandalikas.
A square stepped tank to collect fluids from Garbhagudi. The drain snout reminds me of the little temple at Sonda fort.
I'm trying to imagine how people would come here to get a share of the holy teertha.
A child's eye view of the temple.
A hero-stone leaning on a Shivalinga.
A collection of Shivalinga. In the back ground is river Tungabhadra and Bellary district.
A mini peninsula. It's convenient for local folks to wash clothes and bathe their cattle.
With this temple we are done with the 3 temples on river Tungabhadra bank. We head towards Guttal, we had to planned to stop there for lunch and then proceed to attend Krishi Mela 2012 at Haveri.
Galagesvaragudi Coordinates: 14°55'17"N 75°41'0"E
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