Mallikarjuna Temple, Basaralu

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Keywords: Hoysala Temples, Mallikarjuna Temple, Basaralu

The Mallikarjuna temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, is in Basaralu, a small town in the Mandya district, Karnataka state, India. Basaralu is close to Nagamangala and about 65 km from the culturally important city of Mysore. The temple was built by Harihara Dhannayaka around 1234 A.D. during the rule of the Hoysala Empire King Vira Narasimha II.

Location: Basaralu

The temple is highly ornate example of Hoysala architecture. The temple plan is that of a trikuta (three shrined), though only the middle one has a superstructure (tower or shikhara) and a sukhanasi (nose or tower over the vestibule). The three shrines are connected by a common hall (mantapa) which is unique in that it mixes characteristics of an open and a closed hall. 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. The cella in the central shrine has a linga (the universal symbol of the god Shiva) while the lateral shrines contain an image of surya (the sun) and a pair of nagas (snakes). The temple stands on a platform called jagati, a feature common to many Hoysala temples.

The detailed carvings around the temple depict stories of Bhakta Prahlada and Lord Krishna.
















The temple complex is looked after by 2 caretakers. They did not allow me to take photographs inside the temple. The temple is absolutely majestic. Even though a small one, yet the carvings are so detailed and stunning.










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