Lakshminarasimha Temple, Harnhalli

Karnataka, Hassan, Bengaluru

The Lakshminarasimha temple at Haranhalli is a complete and good example of 13th century Hoysala architecture. Haranhalli is located about 35 km from Hassan city in Karnataka state, India. The temple, whose main deity is the Hindu god Vishnu, was built in 1235 A.D. by the Hoysala Empire King Vira Someshwara.

Architecture

The temple has seen no structural additions or modifications during later periods, giving it a more original look. The temple plan is that of a trikuta (three shrined). The three shrines are connected by a common hall (mantapa). The lateral shrines are connected directly to the hall while the middle shrine has a vestibule that connects the sanctum (cella or vimana) to the hall. Since the lateral shrines do not have a tower, they do not appear like shrines at all from the outside but rather as a part of the hall. The temple stands on a platform called jagati, a feature common to many Hoysala temples. The platform, in addition to adding visual beauty, provides the devotees a path for circumambulation (pradakshinapatha) around the temple. The platform has three flights of steps, one leading to the entrance to the hall and the other two that lead only up to the platform, further enhancing the visual appearance.The sanctum of the three shrines contain an image of the Hindu god Vishnu; Venugopala, Keshava and Lakshminarasimha.

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