Banavasi Madhukeshwara Temple | ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ಮಧುಕೇಶ್ವರ ದೇವಾಲಯ | ಕದಂಬರ ರಾಜಧಾನಿ

Banavasi Madhukeshwara Temple | ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ಮಧುಕೇಶ್ವರ ದೇವಾಲಯ | ಕದಂಬರ ರಾಜಧಾನಿ
In this video, you will be able to see one of the Ancient Temple of Karnataka.
Madhukeshwara Temple of Banavasi:
The foundation of this Banavasi Temple is supposed to have been laid by King Mayoora Sharma. The architecture of the temple is now a mélange of Sonda, Hoysala, Chalukya, Pallava and Rashtrakuta schools that kept adding the structures until the 12th Century.
The main feature of this temple is that none of the deities are placed without their consorts and their vahana. (animal vehicles). The main mandapa of Madhukeshwara temple shares the compound with Devi Parvati on its right.
The temple is located about 23 km from the town of Sirsi, Banavasi is the oldest town in Karnataka and one of the oldest places in India. Surrounded by forests with river Varada flowing around it, Banvasi has lush green fields of rice, sugarcane and pineapple. The town is famous for the ancient Madhukeshwara Temple that dates back to the 9th century. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple, according to history was built by Mayura Sharma of the Kadamba dynasty. The Kadambas were the oldest rulers of Karnataka and they reigned till the Chalukyas came to power. The Madhukeshwara Temple as it stands today is the result of a number of modifications that have taken place during the times of succeeding dynasties like the Chalukyas and Hoysalas.
The entry to this ancient temple compound gives you a feeling of entering some museum of temples and idols. From ornately carved pillars to a simple-most sanctum sanctorum, each part of this temple is a reflection of the style of architecture followed by the kingdoms that ruled Banavasi and worshipped Madhukeshwara Linga.
Dual Pillars: Unlike the other temples in South India, Madhukeshwara Temple has two pillars facing the mandapa of the main shrine. One of them is meant to light the lamps and is called Deepastambha. The other one is quite unusual with a stepped pyramidal base. A side of the steps also has an idol of Indra facing the garbhgriha of the main shrine of Madhukeshwara Mandir. The steps, just like the other walls of most temples are covered with the figures of a linga followed by Nandi.
Basava/Nandi Mandapa: The ardhmandapa (porch) of the temple is followed by a 7 feet tall Nandi (bull) with a tilted head. One eye of the bull looks straight into the sanctum sanctorum at the Shivalinga. The other eye gives a diagonal Drishti (look) through the pillars to the adjacent temple of Adishakti or Parvati. The extensively carved Nandi is surrounded by carved granite pillars none of which are exactly similar.
Nritya Mantapa: This mandapa is a unique feature and evidence of the age-old Devadasi system. According to a Kannada folklore, a king tried to divert sage Allama from his asceticism by making a Devdasi (dancer) perform in front of him. The dancer named Maye tried her best to seduce Allama but in vain. This saint’s visit to this temple is quite important as he ended up being a guru to Basavanna. He turned out to be a social reformer who became the founder of the Lingayat community. Currently, Lingayat, a community of Shaivites, is an important caste in Karnataka. The architecture of the mandapa with a number of black stone pillars and benches can make you visualize some dancing scenes of the bygone era.
Triloka Shrine or Shila Mantap: Before entering the Mahamandapa, a little mandap on the left of its entrance is bound to catch your attention. This intricately carved stone Mantapa is a representation of Triloka, the three worlds as per Hindu Mythology. The base is the Patal Lok netherworld (underworld) supported by a snake denoting its important part called ‘Nag Loka’. The middle part consists of the carved figures of various incarnations of Gods on earth.
How to Reach Banavasi:
By Tain: The nearest station is Talguppa. It is connected to most major cities of Karnataka namely, Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, and Shimoga. Talguppa Express runs daily from Mysore via Bangalore, Shimoga.
By Bus: KSRTC buses run till Sirsi. More information can be found on their official website.
By Road: It can be a beautiful road trip from Bangalore or Mysore via Chikkamaglure- Shimoga -Siddapur- Sirsi route. We covered Banavasi as a part of a road trip from Bangalore to Jog Falls via the Udupi-Gokarna-Yana route. Udupi and Gokarna both turned out to be a rejuvenating experience.You can get a glimpse of the complete route and details here.
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