Ancient Hoysala Shri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple - Historical landmark in Basaralu - Mandya, India

Mallikarjuna Temple, Basral, Mandya Mandya Basral is a small village in Mandya taluk and was known by its ancient name Basurivala. It was an ancient Agrahara. It is famous for the Mallikarjuna temple built in 1234 A.D., by Harihara Dandanayaka, a minister under Hoysala king Narasimha. The temple is a Trikuta with three Garbhagrihas, a Sukhanasi, a common Navaranga, a Mukhamandapa, a Nandimandapa and a Dvaramandapa. The temple has two entrances to the south and north. The entire temple is built of soapstone and stands on a platform of carved mouldings. The wall is in typical Hoysala style with six horizontal friezes, each measuring seven inches in height. Above the friezes are found a large number of sculptures in various poses representing various gods and goddesses under intricately carved canopies. These sculptures represent Narasimha, Siva, Siva-Parvati, Ganesha, Lakshminarayana, Chaturmukha Brahma, Sarasvati, Bhairava, etc Notable among the wall panel sculptures & depicting scenes from the epics & puranic stories are the 16 handed Shiva dancing on the head of a demon called Andhakasura, dancing images of a 22 armed Durga and Ravana lifting Mount Kailash, Arjuna shooting the fish target & Draupadi rushing forth with garland & the slaying of the demon Gajasura. The main attraction of the interior is the large number of lathes turned soapstone pillars. Each pillar has moulded pedestal, square base, cylindrical shaft, capital, an abacus and a corbel above. The shaft of the pillars contains many grooves, flat, concave and convex moldings. They are sharply cut and polished to a smooth glossy surface. There are two eaves, one just above the sculptures and the other at the roof level and they add beauty to the outer wall of the temple. The western Garbhagriha has a fine Linga representing Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy. The southern and northern Garbhagrihas do not have the original images now, but have loose sculptures of Surya and Naga-Nagini, placed there sometime later. The doorways of the Garbhagrihas have delicately and richly carved decorations. There are many ceilings of the typical Hoysala workmanship. Their variety is amazing. There are many niches in the Navaranga which have sculptures of Mahishamardini, Ganesha and Sarasvati. There is also a Saptamatrika panel. The Mukhamandapa is connected with Nandimandapa and the latter houses a Nandi ornamented with rope, pendants, bells, fillets etc. Such bulls are rare in Hoysala sculpture. This Mandapa also has a Kakshasana. Thus this temple is a typical Hoysala structure of the ornate style in Mandya. The Mukhamandapa is connected with Nandimandapa and the latter houses a bull ornamented with rope, pendants, bells, fillets etc. Such bulls are rare in Hoysala sculpture. This Mandapa also has a Kakshasana. Thus this temple is a typical Hoysala structure of the ornate style in Mandya.

It's maintained by Central government, Kept clean. It's leaning a little, Cemented few stones. No pictures to be taken inside the temple. Interesting sculptures, but small. Closes by 5PM. Nice to visit during evenings. No entry fees Calm place to spend an evening

Government should renovate and make it a tourist spot ..Currently no proper maintenance ..we should protect this historical gem

A very small but fantastic temple built using Hoysala architecture. The place is well fenced, clean and maintained well by ASI. You won't find much people in the area. You can enjoy the place and architecture at your own pace. Every line of carvings in the temple will convey stories. Do visit and enjoy.

A very beautiful Hoysala era temple with lots of intact carvings in the signature soapstone. The temple care taker was kind enough to explain a lot of carvings on the inside of the sanctum but photographs were not allowed. The Nandi had the speciality that you look through the left ear place, you will only see the Shivalinga. The location is in a small but serene area away from crowd where people rarely visit.

Most underrated, less explored Hoysala temple. It is maintained significantly well and nestled in the small village of Basaralu. Truly magnificent carvings! Don't miss it if you are ever somewhere close-by to this place. Even the photos I have posted here on this review don't do justice to its beauty! :)

The Mallikarjuna temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, is in Basaralu, a small town in the Mandya dist., Karnataka state, India. Basaralu is close to Nagamangala and about 65 km from the culturally important city of Mysore. The temple was built by Harihara Dhannayaka around 1234 A.D. during the rule of the Hoysala empire King Vira Narashimma2 This temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the ASI.

Hands down the most-underrated drives from Bengaluru, if you are one for the old world's many charms. One of the finest examples of skill and finesse, commissioned by the Hoysala kings, on par with Belur-Halebid.