Golden Research Thoughts ISSN 2231-5063 Volume-3, Issue-1, July-2013 Some Of The Important Veerabhadreswar Temples In Bidar District H. M. Chandrashekhara Shastri , Shivaraj Kallappa Jukale Research Guide , Prof. and Head dept. of History Vijaynagar College Hospet Gulbarga University Gulbarga . Research Scholar Gulbarga University Gulbarga Abstract: Temples of Veerbhdreswara in Bidar district are cultural ambassadors. They are the centres of religion, spiritual attainment, tradition, custom, beliefs, education, justice etc. A architecture of the temple convey the taste of the people and history of the time(1). They help devotees to lead a disciplined life. They unify the society. They works as centres of prayers, beliefs, music, dance, sculpture, architecture, education, public assemblies etc. (2). Keyword:veerabhadreswar , Ambassadors , Spiritual Attainment , Architecture. S o m e O f T INTRODUCTION IMPORTANT VEERABHADRESHWARA TEMPLES h e I H Bidar is one of the thirty districts of Karnataka. It IN BIDAR DISTRICT. m . p M o consists of five talukas, namely, Aurad, Basvaklyan, Bhalki, We find Veerabhadreshwara temples in most of the . r C t h a Bidar and Humnabad. (3). Its population is about 17 lakh. In villages in Bidar District. They are Basavatirtha, Meenkera, a n n d t r a ancient time Bidar is called as Bidruru(4). Karanja and Gadvanti, kankat, Molkera, Ghatboral, Khatak Chincholi, V s h e e e Manjra are the major rivers of Bidar District. Chitguppa, Bemalkheda, Muttangi, Bambalgi, Changlera, k r h a a r Man is continuously struggling with nature. He b Humanabad, Gadgi, Astur, Chamol, Kamthanna,Aurad, a h S h a believed in astonishing power of nature. Because of the fear Diggi, Sundal, Karanji, Hulsur, Prtapur, Gokul, Bhatambra, a d s t r r i e of death, he started to worship nature, in the form of deity or Bhalki, kalsartuganva, etc. Among these most famous , s S w h image of God. He started to construct temple for the deity (5). temples are Changlera, Humnabad, Sundal, Gokul i v a a r r a Our ancestors lived in simple houses but they built temple Bhatambra etc j T K e a m magnificently. The study of the temple means the study of the l l a p p l p life of that particular period(6). I. CHANGLERA VEERABHADRESHWARA e a s J u I k Temples are built because of religious faith. The TEMPLE. n a l B e main function of the religion is to unify the society. It bring Lakhs of devotees get darshana of Lord Veerbhadre i d a harmony among different class or section of society. shwara every year. Purnima and amvasy day, thousands of r D i devotees dip in pushkarani and get darshana. Management s t r GROWTH OF TEMPLE committee of the temple runs free food distribution. i c Initially in India temples were built in caves. There t are no traces of temple antiquities in the Indus Valley Civilisation in India. Stupas are the earliest religious architecture in India. Hindu temples are influenced by stupas(7). They are the model for the construction of temple. Emperor Asoka of Maurya dynasty built many stupas in India(8). Chalukyas of Badami used rough stone, Chalukyas of kalian used mixture of green and black stone, Hoysalas used lime stone, Vijayanagar used rough (kanaj) stone in the construction of temple. Red and black stones are used in the construction of Veerabhadreshwara temple in Bidar district. Temples of Veerabhadreshwara constructed probably during 4th century A.D. Kanchi inscription of 4th century referred Veerbhdreswara as “Maheswaracharya guru”(9). Badami Chalukyas Ihole saiva cave inscription also referred to Veerabhadreshwara as “ saptmatrabhi parirakshata”(10). Changlera Veerabhadreshwara Temple. Changlera village is 42 k. m. from Bidar city. This famous temple is situated at one k. m. towards north of the 1 Golden Research Thoughts ISSN 2231-5063 Volume-3, Issue-1, July-2013 village. It is surrounded by mango trees and garden. Temple Gadwanti village, which should be installed in newly is magnificently built. constructed temple. King followed the order. He installed Veerabhadreshwara temple consists of Grbhagraha that statue in Humnabad temple with due rituals. (sanctum), Antarala (place between Grabhagraha and Veerabhadreshwara temple of Humnabad consists Mantap), and Mantapa. Grabhagraha measures 12*10 feet. of Grabhagraha (sanctum), Antrala and Mantapa. The statue Middle of it is Veerabhadreshwara in the form of linga. He of Veerabhadreshwara is installed on pedestal or vedike. wore linga karadige and saffron cloth. He is surrounded by Pedestal is about three feet in height, constructed in black prabhavali. Top of it is seven headed serphant in silver metal. stone. The statue is five feet in height. It is in black stone. In Dwarpalakas are beautifully carved. In their hands there his hands are sword, shield. His forehead is smeared with weapons like sword and gada. vibuti. In the middle of statins forehead there is a third eye. Antarala: The place between Grbhagraha and He wore ling karadige and scull garland. Daksha is in his Mantap is known as Antarala. It consists of twelve big right side. He is in standing posture. Veerabhadreshwara decorated pillars. Right of it is Veerabhadreshwara statue in statue is surrounded by prabhavali(13). black stone. Middle of it is Veerabhadreshwara statue made Antarala consists of eight ornamental big pillars. of five metals. In his hands there are bow, arrow, sword and Bhadrakali and Nandi statue are installed on left and right gada. He stood on havuge (spike foot wear). His crown is side of sukanasi respectively(14). decorated with false diamond, rubies, and pearls. Five Newly constructed mantap measures is 25*40 feet. headed serphant is on his crown. He wore linga karadige and It consists of sixteen pillars. The first rays of sun fall on the garland of sculls around his neck. He is surrounded by right hand thumb of Veerabhadreshwara through Nandi horn t c i prabhavalli. Top of it is Yalli. (15). r t s i Navaranga: In front of Antarala is Navaranga, Lamp pillar: Two lamp pillars are technically built. D r which consists of many decorated pillars. It measures about They are about 25 feet in height. Circumference of the a d i 100*20 feet. Bhadrakali`s statue is carved in one of the basement of pillar is about 15 feet. Right side pillar is e B l a n k hanging one. If we touch it, feel the movement(16). I pillars. She is very beautiful. In her hands are Trishula, u J s a e p Damaru. Many God`s and Godesses like Daksha, saraswati, Pushkarani : Beautifully built pushkarani is right l p p a l l m Lakshmi, Veerbhadra are kept in the blocks of those pillars side of the temple. It has three side steps. Devotees get holy a e K T j a and walls. bath in it. In the middle of pushkarani is Nandi Mantap.It is r r a a v i Nandi temple is in front of Mahamantapa. It is about 20*28 feet. h w S s , e i ancient one. It is attached to parkara(twenty feet compound Parkara or compound wall : Twenty feet height r r t s d a a wall). Parkara has fourteen arched rooms. Here pilgrims rest parkar or compound wall is built around the temple. Temple h S h a b r and cook their food. has two entrances namely towards east and west. Eastern a a h r k e e Veerabhadreshwara temple is built on five feet entrance door or mahadwara is beautifully decorated. Tower e h s V a r basement. The walls of sanctum are simple. They are twenty of the mahadwara consists many beautiful deities. Arched t d n n a a feet in height. Prastar is simple. Beautiful statue of Nandi and rooms are constructed inside the parkar. They are used to h t C r . o Veerabhadreshwara are kept in Grevakundi. Decorated and cook food and pilgrims take rest. M p . m H I folded vimana is about twenty five feet in height. It is in three Kalyanmantap: Right side of the temple is one side e h levels. Every level has small vimana, stupi and kalasa. kalyanmantap. Here marriage ceremonies and other public T f Puranic deities are kept in devakostaka.They are very functions take place. It is about 80*60 feet. In fair it is used O e beautiful. Top of this vimana is round shaped stupi, consists for free food distribution. m o S of four side lions and it has brass kalasa. Urdwamukh or bottom to top: This temple is Statue of Bhadrakali is in Antrala of siva temple, established on five feet basement. Wall of the sanctum is which is behind Veerabhadreshwara temple. She is about 20 feet in height. They are in simple black stone. beautifully carved and have four arms. Prastar is beautifully decorated. Nandi statues are installed in Aggimantapa is half k. m. from temple. Its face is four corner of Greevkundi. Fully decorated viman is in 50 towards east. It measures 60*30 feet. Aggikunda is in the feet in height (17). It consists of five levels. Deities in the middle, is about 20*20 feet. Devotees take rounds around viman is made of gypsum and morter. Viman is in Nagar- aggikund during fairs. Dravidian style. Images Images are in Rajastani style. On the Car is near aggimantapa. It is in seven levels. Lakhs top of the viman is round shaped stupi have a brass of devotees pull the car during fairs up to Nandi mantapa and kalasa(18). bring it back to car mantapa.It is in twenty five feet in height.