Temple info -3836. Bhuvaraha Narasimha Temple, Halasi, Belgaum. பூவராக நரசிம்மர் கோயில், ஹலாசி, பெல்காம்
Temple info -3836
கோயில் தக-3836
Location: Bhuvaraha Narasimha Temple is located at Halasi which is about 55 kms to the north-west of Hubballi and about 45 kms to the southeast of Belgaum.
History of Halasi
Halasige (present Halasi) was large Province with 12000 villages. Halasige was also known as Palasike in the bygone era. Halasi was the capital of the Province.
It was governed by several Dynasties viz. The Kadambas of Banavasi, The Chalukyas of Badami. The Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta, The Western Chalukyas, The Hoysalas, The Vijayanagara Dynasty, The Muhammadans and the British.
It was majorly governed by the Kadambas of Goa from their capital at Chandrapura (present Chandor, now in the State of Goa). Chandrapura (aka.Chandor) is located on the southern banks of River Zuari and western banks of River Kushavati. It is believed that this town was founded by Chandraditya, son of King Pulakeshin-II. This area patronized and nourished by them for several centuries. This dynasty was represented by 14 Kings with a timeline from about 966–1340 CE. They were initially the feudatory of the Western Chalukyas; though they were a feudatory, they were held at high esteem by the Western Chalukyas and the Hoysalas. The initial Kings were contemporaries of the Kadambas of Hangal.
Though the Contributions, valor and fame of this Dynasty have gone into the oblivion, this Dynasty was represented with some of the greatest Kings in this part of Karnataka viz. Guhalla Deva-II, Shastha Deva-II, Jayakesi-II, Shivachitta, Vishnuchitta and so on. Our history books don’t even has a mention ofo this great Dynasty which nurtured this part of Karnataka for centuries. They governed a huge area which spanned from Hangal-500 (present day Hangal and part of Shivamogga Dist), Haive-500 (present day Uttara Kannada), Konkana-900 (present day Goa), Unukal-30 (present day Dharwad region), Palalgunde-30 (not identified), Kuntakuli-30 (perhaps an area near Hangal), Kadaravalli-30 (part of present Belgaum Dist), Velugrame-70 (present day Belgaum), Kapardikadvipa-125000 (coastal area of present Maharashtra).
This Province is witness to not only great Kings but great Queens as well especially Kamala Devi, Queen of King Shivachitta.
Halasi is a confluence of Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Jainism. There are several Temples dedicated to various deities in a small area of about 2 sq.kms. There are ancient Temples dedicated to Lord Bhuvaraha Narasimha, Lord Suvarneshwara, Lord Chandramouleshwara, Lord Kalmeshwara, Lord Hatakeshwara (the Grama Devata). Lord Hanuman and a Jain Basti.
One of the most important locations in Halasige is Ramatirtha. This place is located about 5 kms from Halasi on a hill top. This place has two temples with a natural water tank (from where it got its name). The jatra (annual fest) at Ramatirtha is very famous occasion and attended by devotees both far and near.
Halasi also boasts of the Machigad Fort which is a part of the Machigad Hill and Ramatirtha Hill. I was told that both these locations are absolutely scenic; but since I had a packed schedule I have saved the visit for another day.
Bhuvaraha Narasimha Temple
This is a dwi-kuta (two Sanctums) living Temple as puja is performed every day.
It is a Monument of National importance and a Protected Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites Act (1958) by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
As we enter through the eastern gate we can find two small shrines.
These are shrines dedicated to Lord Hanuman to the right and Lord Garuda to the left. The idol of Lord Garuda is very elaborately carved depicting the Deity in standing posture..
Before we enter the premise of the Principal Deity there are several other must visits.
There is also the traditional enclosure with a banyan tree seat.
The step-well is located opposite to the Banyan Tree enclosure but entrance is not prohibited. Like always, even this pushkarni is not maintained.
“Beautiful things come in small packets”. After visiting the pushkarni, there is this beautiful shrine which is in typical Kadamba style architecture dedicated to Sri Lakshmi Narayana.
The Sanctum is adorned by a very elaborately carved idol of Sri Lakshmi Narayana with Goddess Lakshmi sitting on Lord Narayana’s lap. Unfortunately the image is Lord Narayana is partly mutilated (hand with the shankha). The expressions of both the Deities is so very beautiful. The love which they have towards each other is visible in their seating itself.
There is a small shrine dedicated to Lord Ishwara located opposite of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Temple.
The shrine is in Nirandhara style with a Sanctum and no pradakshina patha (path for circumambulation). The shrine has a small antechamber with Lord Ishwara adorning the Sanctum.
This is another example of Kadamba architecture. The portion above the lintel is completely renovated. But what remains itself is absolutely magic.
The bhuvaneshwari (central ceiling) is Kadamba signature style with a small square within a larger square. It is centrally designed with concentric circles and an inverted lotus bud in the centre. It has similar circular designs on the four corners of the square. This is typical Kadamba style.
The Shrine has two enclosures on the right and the left wall of the antechamber. The idols of the deities are missing now but were adorned by Lord Sambhasadashiva to the right and Lord Kailashanatha to the left.
There is a Vrundavana on the western side which is dedicated to Sri Raghunatha Tirtharu, the Pontiff of Sri Bheemanakatte Matha. He took to Samadhi and attained the abode of the almighty in 1824.
The entire compound wall of the premise is adorned by small enclosures dedicated to several deities viz. Lord Ganesha, Lord Varaha, Goddess Mahishasura Mardhini, Lord Kartikeya and many more.
There is another small enclosure dedicated to Lord Bhairava on the south-western side of the premise. A close look at the idol will scare anyone. The expression, the weapons and especially the garland of skulls will give goose bumps to anyone.
Another shrine on the north-western side is dedicated to Lord Radha Krishna. I was so mesmerized by the idol that I almost forgot that we still have to visit the Principal Deity. It was nice of the ASI personnel to come over to us and explain the intricacies of the idol. The entire sculpture is a masterpiece of Kadamba architecture.
Though the entire idol has been carved at leisure and precision I guess; even the beads on the jeweled crown of the Deities reduce in size towards the end, the stand-out feature are the ear-rings of Goddess Radha. The ear ring has the signature yali carved in the centre. A very delicately carved feature.
Whenever you visit this location do request the ASI personnel to open this particular enclosure and show the idol.
The entire premise beyond this point is a very well maintained garden. Thanks to the ASI team for adding value to the entire premise.
The Temple has a two entrance; one to the north and the other to the south. Both the entrances have an entrance Mandapa with pillars. They don’t have any elaborate balustrades decorating the stairway.
As per the literature available, this temple is one of the many creations by the great sculptor Amarashilpi Jaknacharya.
The structure has two Garbha Griha; one to the east and the other to the west. Both the Garbha Grihas have a large antechamber and share a common Navaranga Mandapa.
Photography is completely prohibited inside the Temple hence I am not able to post any pictures of the Mandapa and the Garbha Grihas.
Lord Yoga Narayana adorns the sanctum to the left and Lord Bhuvaraha adorns the sanctum to the right. Both these idols are about 5’ in height made of granite stone (with emerald tinge). The idols are highly decorated, polished and stand on a large pedestal.
Lord Yoga Narayana is depicted in padmasana and Lord Bhuvaraha is depicted in standing posture carrying Bhudevi on his tusks. I was told that there are idols of Lord Suryanarayana and Goddess Mahalaskhmi behind the idol of Lord Yoga Narayana.
This Temple has “Narasimha” in its name because there is a Swayambhu (self-originated) Idol of Lord Narasimha placed inside the Sanctum (but not visible). It is believed that the original Temple was dedicated to Lord Narasimha built in the 5th Century CE and the current structure we see was constructed at different periods. As per inscriptions it is believed that the Idol of Lord Yoga Narayana was installed in 1169 CE by the Kadambas of Goa by King Shivachitta and the inscription also records the construction of this Temple. The Sanctum of Lord Bhuvaraha was installed by King Vijayaditya-III in 1187 CE.
There is a Navaranga Mandapa in the centre standing on a square platform with set of four pillars. The platform of the Navaranga has a sculpture of a tortoise in the centre. For a second I though it’s a real tortoise but then realized that it’s a sculpture. Unfortunately I could not see the bhuvaneshwari (central ceiling) above the Navaranga Mandapa as it was covered with a wooden plank.
There is a Vimana only on the Sanctum adorned by Lord Yoga Narayana. This structure is also in typical Kadamba style. The absence of another Vimana on the Sanctum of Lord Bhuvaraha shows that it was a later addition to the Temple.
Story from the inscription:
There is only one large inscription on the right side of the Sanctum of Lord Narayana.
This is a 10’ tall inscription on a stone slab. The inscription carries about 61 lines in Nagari script and well maintained with a glass enclosure. The top portion of the stone inscription slab dedicated to Lord Narasimha and has an image sculpted on a top panel of the inscription.
This inscription carries a detailed genealogy of the Kadambas of Goa and records two gifts given at two different periods. One record a gift dated Kali Yuga 4369 (corresponding to 1169 CE) which registers the gift of a village of Sindavalli in Kampana of Kalagiri in the district of Palasi by Shivachitta Paramadideva (the 6th King of the Kadambas of Goa) to the Brahmins for offering to Lord Narasimha. The gift was entrusted upon Vindhyavasi, the Priest of the Temple. It also mentions that the Temple was established in Halasi by Matayogi. It also mentions that the inscription was composed by Nagavarma and inscribed by Madhusudana.
The other portion of the inscription records a gift dated Kali Yuga 4272-4273 (corresponding to 1171-1172 CE) of a village called Bhalaka in Kampana of Kalagiri in the district of Palasi. This also mentions the twenty-fifth regnal year of King Vijayaditya-II (the 8th King of the Kadambas of Goa). It also mentions that the inscription was composed by Devarsarma and inscribed by Yajneshwara.
This inscription also mentions the boundaries of the Temple premises, details of the adjoining fields and the ornaments of Lord Narasimha and the custodian. It also mentions gifts of two fields by a Banker of Palasike viz. Gundameyakodageyi and Kallakeyi. It mentions a gift of a flower garden called Kodayatota outside the village and another flower garden by Vrishabha. It then mentions a gift of an arecanut plantation called Adakeyatota by the King Shivachitta Permadi himself. It mentions that his inscription was written on stone after seeing the details from a copper plate by Shankaraya. Rest of the inscription is not legible.
புவராஹ நரசிம்மர் கோவில் ஹலசி, கர்நாடகா
ஹலசி, மேற்குத் தொடர்ச்சி மலைகளின் பின்னணியில் பசுமையான சூழலில் அமைந்துள்ளது. இது பனவாசியின் கடம்பர்களின் இரண்டாவது தலைநகராக இருந்தது. பிரம்மாண்டமான புவராஹ நரசிம்மர் கோயிலில் [1] வராகர், நரசிம்மர், நாராயணன் மற்றும் சூர்யன் ஆகியோரின் உயரமான சிலைகள் உள்ளன. இந்த இடத்தில் ஒரு கோட்டையும், கோகர்ணேசுவரர், கபிலேசுவரர், சுவர்ணேசுவரர் மற்றும் ஹடகேசுவரர் கோயில்களும் உள்ளன.
ஹலசியில் காலமேசுவரர், சுவர்ணேசுவரர், ராமலிங்கேசுவரர் மற்றும் புவராஹ கோயில்கள் போன்ற நினைவுச்சின்னங்களின் தொகுப்புகள் உள்ளன.
இந்திய தொல்லியல் துறை இந்த பழமையான கட்டமைப்பைப் பராமரித்து வருகிறது.
பண்டைய காலத்தில் ஹலசி, பாலசிகா என்று அழைக்கப்பட்டது. இங்குள்ள பூ வராக லட்சுமி நரசிம்மர் கோயில், கடம்ப பாணி கட்டிடக்கலைக்கு சிறந்த எடுத்துக்காட்டுகளில் ஒன்றாகும். கருவறை அல்லது கர்ப்பகிரகத்தின் 50 அடி உயர கோபுரம், அவர்களால் கட்டப்பட்ட பனவாசியில் உள்ள மதுகேஸ்வரர் கோயிலை மிகவும் ஒத்திருக்கிறது.
வரலாற்றாசிரியர்களின் கூற்றுப்படி, இது கடம்பர் காலத்தில் அல்லது கி.பி. 5 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டில் கட்டப்பட்டது, மேலும் கோயிலின் உள்ளே உள்ள கல்வெட்டுகளும் இதை உறுதிப்படுத்துகின்றன. பதிவுகளின்படி, இது சிவசித்தரால் கட்டப்பட்டது. கி.பி. 1169 இல், அனந்த வீரவிக்ரம நரசிம்மரின் சிலை மாதயோகியால் பிரதிஷ்டை செய்யப்பட்டது.
இந்த கோயிலுடன் தொடர்புடைய ஒரு புராணக்கதையின்படி, பாண்டவர்கள் தங்கள் வனவாசத்தின் போது ஒரே இரவில் இந்தக் கோயிலைக் கட்டி, இங்கு விஷ்ணு பகவானை வழிபட்டனர்.
கோயில் அர்ச்சகரின் கூற்றுப்படி, விஷ்ணுவின் இடதுபுறத்தில் உள்ள இரண்டு அடி உயர நரசிம்மர் சிலை சுயம்பு அல்லது உத்வவம் (கன்னடம்) ஆகும், அது யாராலும் செதுக்கப்படவில்லை.
கோயிலின் உள்ளே,
ஒன்றுக்கொன்று எதிரெதிராக இரண்டு கர்ப்பகிரகங்கள் உள்ளன. வலதுபுறம் உள்ள கர்ப்பகிரகத்தில், அமர்ந்த கோலத்தில் உள்ள நான்கு அடி உயர ஸ்ரீ விஷ்ணு பகவானின் சிலை உள்ளது. பிரதான சிலைக்குப் பின்புறம் சூரியநாராயணன் மற்றும் மகாலட்சுமியின் சிலைகள் அமைந்துள்ளன.
இடதுபுறம் உள்ள கர்ப்பகிரகத்தில் பூ வராக சுவாமியின் சிலை உள்ளது. 1186-87-ல், மூன்றாம் விஜயதித்யனால் 5 அடி உயர நின்ற கோலத்திலான வராகர் சிலை நிறுவப்பட்டது. பூமித்தாயை (பூதேவி) தன் வாயில் ஏந்தியிருக்கும் விஷ்ணுவின் வராக அவதாரத்தைக் காணலாம். கூரையில் அழகாகச் செதுக்கப்பட்ட தாமரை, கடம்பர்கள் தங்களுக்கென ஒரு தனித்துவமான கலை வடிவத்தை உருவாக்கி வளர்த்தெடுத்தனர் என்பதற்குச் சான்றாக விளங்குகிறது.
பிரதான கோயிலுக்கு வெளியே கணேசர், சிவன் மற்றும் விட்டலருக்கு அர்ப்பணிக்கப்பட்ட சிறிய கோயில்கள் உள்ளன. ஒரு சிறிய சன்னதியில் ராதாகிருஷ்ணரின் ஒரு சிறந்த சிலையையும் காணலாம்.
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