Sri Papanaatha Gudi - Hindu temple in Pattadakal - Bagalkote, India

Pattadakal, also called Raktapura, is a complex of 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples in northern Karnataka (India). Located on the west bank of the Malaprabha River in Bagalakote

Pattadakal, is a complex of temples. Hindu and Jain temples in northern Karnataka (India.)we visited on 6 Oct.

Pattadakal literally means 'coronation stone' and bears testimony to the later phase of evolution of the distinctive Early Chalukyan architecture. The gestation phase of this development which took place in Aihole, Badami (the ancient capital), Alampur, and Mahakuta finds its culmination here. It is in the last few decades, during the successive reigns of Vijayaditya (696-733 CE), Vikramaditya II (733-746 CE) and Kirtivarman II (746-753 CE), that several temples were gradually constructed in this fertile valley. A Jain shrine was constructed much later, after the collapse of the empire by their successor Rashtrakuta Dynasty (8th-10th centuries CE) in the 9th century CE. Temple Architecture The basic plan of a temple runs thus: the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) opens to an antarala (vestibule) and houses the murti (enshrined image) on a pitha (pedestal). An expansive pillared mandapa (hall) adjoins the antarala. A shikhara (superstructure) rises on top of the garbha griha and contains an amalaka (a ribbed stone) with a kalash (pot with mango leaves and a coconut) at its finial. The vimana then comprises both the garbha griha and shikhara. Temples built here are all dedicated to Shiva and face east. However, depiction of religious motifs through free-standing sculptures and reliefs is not limited to Shaivism but recruits images generously from the Hindu pantheon. Other than the nine Shaiva temples in the compound, there is one Jain temple located almost a kilometre to the west dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankar, Parsvanatha.

The history of Pattadakal goes back to a time when it was called Kisuvolal, a valley of red soil. It even found a mention in Ptolemy's Geography in the 2nd century CE. Presently Pattadakal is located in the district of Bagalkot, state of Karnataka, India. The Chalukyas of Badami (ancient Vatapi) or Early Chalukyas (543-753 CE) built a large complex of temples for royal commemoration and coronation in Pattadakal. This complex is on the left bank of the Malaprabha River which runs further north to meet the river Krishna. It was accorded World Heritage Status by UNESCO in 1987. Temple Complex in Pattadakal Temple Complex in Pattadakal Jean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY-SA) Pattadakal literally means 'coronation stone' and bears testimony to the later phase of evolution of the distinctive Early Chalukyan architecture. The gestation phase of this development which took place in Aihole, Badami (the ancient capital), Alampur, and Mahakuta finds its culmination here. It is in the last few decades, during the successive reigns of Vijayaditya (696-733 CE), Vikramaditya II (733-746 CE) and Kirtivarman II (746-753 CE), that several temples were gradually constructed in this fertile valley. A Jain shrine was constructed much later, after the collapse of the empire by their successor Rashtrakuta Dynasty (8th-10th centuries CE) in the 9th century

Pattadakal as "a harmonious blend of architectural forms from northern and southern India" and an illustration of "eclectic art" at its height.The Hindu temples are generally dedicated to Shiva, but elements of Vaishnavism and Shaktism theology and legends are also featured. The friezes in the Hindu temples display various Vedic and Puranic concepts, depict stories from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavata Purana, as well as elements of other Hindu texts, such as the Panchatantra and the Kiratarjuniya.The Jain temple is only dedicated to a single Jina.The most sophisticated temples, with complex friezes and a fusion of Northern and Southern styles, are found in the Papanatha and Virupaksha temples.The Virupaksha temple is an active house of Hindu worship.

Very beautiful temple with intricate carvings. One star less for location- Out of the main Pattadakal temple complex. Due to the location, very rare visitors. Good- if you love photography and want to enjoy the ancient art without interruptions, it is great. However, if you are lone traveller and fear secluded places, skip it. (Well, it is not so much secluded being near to habitats but need to walk a bit outside main complex) no facilities like water/ snacks/ toilet etc near the temple but you can have them at outside main gate of Pattadakal group of monuments. Good for 10 min to hours depending on your interest in ancient art and any bug like shutterbugs biting you!

This temple was actually known as the Pancha Bootha Natheshwara Temple, since the name is very long to pronounce, local people changed the name to Papanatha Temple. The architecture of the temple is Nagara style which we can find for most of the temples in northern India. The outer walls of the temples is carved with the sculptures which depict Ramayana. The actual temple was fallen down and then later the temple was rebuilt by the archeological department, we can see few mistakes on the outer walls in the Sculptures of Ramayana.

Papanath Temple, Pattadakal Karnataka This temple is noted for its novel mixture of Dravida, and Nagara, Hindu temple styles. The unusual layout of the temple is possibly due to its construction, which occurred in three stages, but there is a lack of epigraphical evidence to support this hypothesis. Its architectural and sculptural details do show a consistent and unified theme, indicative of a plan. This east facing temple has on plain Garbha Griha, Ardha Mandapam, Sabha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam provided with Kakshasana. Curiously the eastern half of the Sabha Mandapam accommodates a huge monolithic Nandi instead of a separate Nandi Mandapam. The wall above is relieved with a large Kudu type of Deva Kostas at regular intervals accommodating Shaiva and Vaishnava deities and perches sheltering stone windows. The ceiling and walls of this temple are Richly carved.