Bhimeshvara Temple, Nilagunda

Karnataka, Davangere, Bengaluru

The Bhimeshvara temple (Bhimesvara or Bhimeshwara) is located in the town of Nilagunda in the Davangere district of Karnataka. The temple construction was under taken in the last quarter of the 11th century during the rule of the Western Chalukyas (Kalyani Chalukyas) over the region. The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Architecture

The temple has four sanctums (chatuskuta vimana) with a superstructure (shikhara) surviving only over the main west facing shrine. The building material is soapstone. The superstructure as a 3-tiered tower. The outer wall of the temple has projections and recesses creating niches. In these niches are miniature decorative towers in relief (called aedicula or turrets), the execution of which evolved during the Later Chalukya rule. Each tier of the superstructure has a kirtimukha (gargoyle like face). Below each kirtimukha, is a relief of a deity such as the Nataraja or Maheshvara (both forms of the Hindu god Shiva). Facing the west sanctum is a small sculpture of Nandi the bull. There are sculptures of various deities from the Hindu pantheon in the niches in the interior wall of the temple, such as Ganesha, Mahishasuramardhini and the Saptamatrika. The ceiling in the common hall is supported by four polished lathe turned pillars.

Picture courtesy : commons.wikimedia.org

Darsan Info

Temple timings : Morning 5:00 AM To Evening 6:00 PM

Darsan Dresscode

Clean and conservative clothing is preferred (Avoid shorts).

Culture

Neelagunda is small village surrounded by green trees and hill stations with water ponds surronded the place. Winter is the best time to visit the place.