Thursday, May 31, 2012

Amrutesvara Temple, Amruthapura

Amruthapura is a small village located 35 km from Shimoga on NH 206 towards Bangalore. This place is known for the Amruteshvara temple that was built sometime in 1196 by commander Amrutheshwara in the army of Hoysala Dynasty.

This midsized temple showcases excellent craftsmanship of Hoysala architecture. The temple has large open mantapa and a closed mantapa connects it to main shrine on top which is a beautifully carved single tower. The open mandapa has 29 bays and the closed mantapa has 9 bays.
The shrine tower is richly decorated with sculptures, miniature towers.The wall below the tower does not contain panel of Hindu deities which has been later Hoysala style of temples. Instead the wall has various design patterns. One can also see the original Hoysala emblem of Sala fighting the tiger. The outer wall of the temple has interesting equally spaced circular carvings.

There are 140 panels of sculptures depicting the Hindu epics on the outer parapet wall of the open mantapa. If the South side wall panels portray story of epic Ramayana, the North side wall panels portray story of epic Mahabarath and life of Lord Krishna.

The ceiling of the mantapa is well supported by rows of shining lathe turned pillars.

51 comments:

Al said...

Incredible - my country wouldn't be formed for another 580 years!

Ranjana's craft blog said...

Yes, its a beautiful temple. I have seen this temple. But you have captured it very nicely.

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

OMG !! What an architecture !!! superb pics...Thanks for sharing..:-)

Jeevan said...

Amazing carvings and sculptures... Incredible! Thanks for the detailed pictures.

R Niranjan Das said...

Beautiful temple. Nice shots.

www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

ಅಶ್ವಿನಿ/ Ashwini said...

Wow is not the word. Do we have superlatives of higher end??? Its absolutely gorgeous photos.. Had heard of this place but now am planning to go there.. Thanks for sharing.

YOSEE said...

so beautiful ! Had not heard of it. Now its in my bucket list !

Vineeta Yashsavi said...

Wow !!! What a beautiful Architect...

Good Shots...

Lowell said...

Goodness, this is magnificent! Looks like it could use a power washing, but that might destroy some of the facade. You'd probably enjoying traveling through Florida, but you wouldn't find anything like this! :-)

Anonymous said...

What a magnificent building. Is that a dog guarding it in the first shot?

Sylvia K said...

Superb captures of another awesome temple, Rajesh! I always enjoy the tours you take us on! Hope you and your family have a great weekend!

Sylvia

Steffi said...

Very beautiful photos of India for SWF,Rajesh!Thank you for sharing and have a nice weekend!

Unknown said...

Stunning architecture!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Pearl Maple said...

A beautiful temple to see and admire, thanks for taking us on tour with you

joo said...

It's simply awesome!

Shoshana said...

Such details in those buildings. I imagine you never see these walls the same way each time.

http://midasfive.com/?p=391

Annemor said...

Thank you for a new trip to India.
Mormor Norway

http://www.starbear.no/mormor/2012/05/31/himmelsk-87/

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Small village, ornate temple, great shots! Thank you!

Western Sky & Road

eileeninmd said...

Wow, awesome captures and architecture. The sculptures are amazing. Happy skywatching!

Black Jack's Carol said...

In the first two photos, the flat expanse of sky makes the perfect background for those gorgeous temples. I'm thinking you could spend a lot of time learning the fascinating stories and studying the sculptures.

Leovi said...

Beautiful photos of a wonderful place. No doubt you've managed to capture and display this temple with all his soul and beauty.

Teamgsquare said...

lovely temple

Pietro Brosio said...

Wonderful temple, rich decorations indeed! Nice shots, Rajesh.

Zuzana said...

Wow, this is simply stunning architecture!;)
xoxo

Liz said...

Amazing structures. Happy sky watching.

My Sky.

Sudhir R said...

I wonder if the base is of Kalayani Chalukyas and the vihara that of Hoysala. I have seen this in Balligavi.

Anonymous said...

Wow!A very unique temple.

Ash said...

Amazing is an understatement!

alicesg said...

Sorry for the long absence, been idle in my posting. Very beautiful photos of the temple. Love how the ceiling being supported by the unique designs of the pillar. Have a nice weekend.

Barb said...

I love that last photo, Rajesh. The dog looks like a friendly guard in the first photo. What intricacy!

Anonymous said...

What beautiful captures of amazing detailed architecture.

Joyful said...

Lovely photos. These buildings are fantastically intricate. Happy SWF!

Jackie McGuinness said...

Just breathtaking! India is on my bucket list to visit.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Again my mind just boggles at the incredible artistry and craftsmanship from so long ago. Those miniature towers are just spectacular. And those pillars!

Anonymous said...

this looks wonderful :)

eden said...

Wow, impressive carvings. Great shots.

Sridharan said...

Wow..! I feel like being inside that structure... Well captured Rajesh..!

George said...

This is one of the most beautifully ornate temples that I've seen. It's absolutely gorgeous.

Jessica said...

beautiful temple :-) beautiful views too :-) Dropping by from MYM

http://adventurousjessy.blogspot.com/2012/06/beautiful-yellow-rose-from-my-in-laws.html

Meoww said...

Have visited the temples at Halebid and Belur. But missed this one. I love the intricate and exquisite carvings of the temple. Wow!

Cheers

Kim, USA said...

I can't believe the intricate design just so gorgeous!

MYM

Unknown said...

truly impressive!

Liz said...

Stunning art work!

My entries:
Moms...Check Nyo
Yummy-as-can-be

Rajesh said...

Thank you all fro appreciating the beautiful craftsmanship of this temple.

TheYoungBigmouth.com said...

Awesome!!

Shrinidhi Hande said...

we'd gone there once but had to come back as it was closed... nice pics

Anonymous said...

the monuments are beautifully crafted and equally nicely captured :) nice work Rajesh !

Arti said...

Wow! I love the intricate and ancient architecture! Spectacular captures and post, would love to visit it someday.

Sangeeta said...

Love the intricacies in the temple design...beautiful post.

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful pictures ! loved each 1 of it !

Debopam said...

Incredible and amazing piece of art.....