Kedareshwara Temple Nagalapura

Nagalapura is a small village situated in Tiptur taluk of Tumkur district of Karnataka. There are two hoysala period temple in this village. Kedareshwara Temple Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Chennakeshava temple dedicated lord vishnu.

This temple is an ekakuta (single sanctum) temple facing east. The temple structure consist of a garbha-grha (sanctum), an antarala (vestibule) and a navaranga (closed hall). Even though the Garbha-griha faces the east direction, the main entrance to the temple, through navaranga, is on its southern side. This temple is known for beautiful ornate Ceilings of the navaranga, animated friezes, wall sculptures and lathe-turned pillars of the navaranga, which are typical examples of the art and architecture of the Hoysala style.

Kedareshwara Temple, Nagalapura

Temple Plan

The Kedareshwara temple is built on a platform which has a stellate shape as in other Hoysala temples. It is a sixteen-pointed star plan. The shikhara (tower) of the temple has not survived. Gerard Foekema puts this vimana in full start category. His reason is, the shrine constituting this vimana are all turned on its axis. The vimana measures 4.8m in length.

This temple belongs to the matured Hoysala architectural phase. This phase is distinguished by the series of the bands of the adhisthana of the temple and the eaves over the external wall images. Both these features are evident in this temple. The arrangement of bands found here, over the adhishthana (platform), is consisted of six separate horizontal friezes. They are, a band of swans, a frieze of makaras with riders on it, empty band intended for Puranic sculptures, scroll-work ,a frieze of horse-men, and a frieze of elephants.

hoysala period carvings at Kedareshwara Temple, a lesser known hoysala temple located in Nagalupra near to turuvekere

Carvings on the wall

Friezes

Carvings on the wall

Inside Kedareshwara Temple

The interior of the temple consist of a closed hall with four lathe tuned pillars. The four pillars divide the hall into nine equal bays. The ceilings of the 9 bays are carved with unique structure which brings out the talent of the sculptors of that age. The designs of each ceiling are different with the central one adorned with ashta-dikpala arrangement.

There are many sculptures found inside the temple, Surya with Usha and Pratyusha on either side of his feet, Vishnu, Kartikeya, Sarasvati and Sapta-Matrikas. A Nandi is also placed in navaranga facing the sanctum. The antarala and the sanctum are of the same size square. The antarala doorway has Uma-Maheshvara on lower lintel while Tandaveshvara on above lintel. Davrapals are placed on either wise of the doorway as separate sculptures. A small shivalinga is placed inside the sanctum.

Carved Ceiling

Nandi Statue

Best Time To Visit Kedareshwara Temple

The best time to visit Hosaholalu is between the months of October and March, when the climate is good to travel.Try to visit in the morning as the temple will be closed in the afternoon

How to Reach Kedareshwara Temple Nagalapura

Nagalapura is about 15 km far from Turuvekere, 130 Km From Bangalore, 100km from Mysore and 80km from hassan. From the Nelamangala Hassan highway, you have to take a deviation from Yadiyur and travel 30km to reach Nagalapura.