Saturday, December 15, 2012

Hampi and Badami: Deccan delights, Part VI


I have mentioned earlier that the “Chalukya” kings, who had firmed up their power over Deccan plateau in sixth century CE and had continued to rule till 8th century CE, had established their capital at “Aihole” and later shifted it to “Vatapi” (present day Badami) in Bagalkote district of Karnataka state. In spite of “Vatapi” being the state capital, the royal family of Chalukyas', considered a village located about 22 Km away from the capital, as a place of special significance. This village known as “Pattadakal” also happens to be a nondescript and ordinary village today. However, Chalukya Royal family built in this village, a number of beautiful temples over the generations. One of the reasons that is put forward for selection of this village for construction of Royal temples is, it's geographical location. Most of the rivers in peninsular India flow from west to east. “Malaprabha” river, which is a subsidiary of the mighty Krishna river, flows next to this village and is no exception to the rule of flowing from west to east. But it so happens that near this village, this river suddenly changes course by 90 degrees and flows from south to north for some distance. “Pattadakal” temples were built just next to this river bed. In all, there are eight superb temples in the “Pattadakal” archeological complex. For Chalukya royal family, this place was the most revered one and the kings also had their coronation or “Rajyabhishek” ceremonies performed here at “pattadakal” temples, instead of at state capital “Vatapi.”

 



Our bus is now negotiating the road between “Aihole” and “Pattadakal.” This road also can not be considered as comfortable for travel. The road, in the first place is very narrow and full of pot holes. On both sides of the road, I can see standing crops of sugar cane almost ripe for cutting. That explains the almost continuous traffic of huge trailers carrying tons of sugar cane, being pulled by tractors to some sugar factory around. To add to our woes on road, are the number of cattle herds being driven to some nearby grazing spot and also hot blazing sun. Many travellers like me, bear with all this happily, for one and only one reason, the expectant joy of visiting something that is considered as one of the best in the world, the fabulous architecture of “Pattadakal” temples. These temples are compared by many to solid gold, a standard with which other temples may be judged. They say here that if “Aihole” temples are considered as artifacts created by kids studying in primary school, then “Badami” rock cut temples would have to be considered as artwork done by middle school boys and without any doubt, “Pattadakal” temples could be only considered as art forms created by university students.





Our bus stops next to the “Pattadakal” archeological complex. The entire area has been well secured and protected with chain link and barbed wire barricades. I buy entry tickets for me and my camera and enter the complex premises. The first view is rather impressive. In front of me are large tracts of well manicured green grass lawns, glistening in the mid noon sun and behind the grasses are the stunningly beautiful temple structures of Pattadakal. These temples were built in seventh and eighth century CE and, when compared to “Aihole,” the over all plan and workmanship appears to be far superior.


Kadasiddheshwar Temple 

I cross the greens along the well marked walkways and enter the temple premises from the northern gateway to come across the first two temples of “Kadasiddheshwara” and “Jambulingam.”which in reality, are two forms of same deity; Shiva. For both temples, the towers above are similar to the Sun God temple at “Aihole,” and are of curvilinear pattern ( North Indian style) and the construction appears simple , straight forward and somewhat similar to each other. On the eastern wall of “Kadasiddheshwara” temple there are high reliefs of two standing doorkeepers, whereas in the other or “ Jambulingam” temple, the wall stand plain and simple. “Pattadakal” temple architects were keen to try out new techniques and experimented continuously with newer forms. In both these temples, the curvilinear towers bear a bass relief sculpture on the front side, which was something new.

Galagnath temple

Curvilinear tower of Galagnath temple

Siva in his doomsday dance

Sangameshwar Temple

I continue walking. The next temple is known as “Galagnath” temple. The temple tower is also curvilinear but here there is a new change in design. On both sides of the temple, two verandas have been added, which appear to me like two wings. The verandas have sloping stone slab roofs. The front door lintel has a bass relief showing Shiva doing his “Tandava” or doomsday dance along with small figures of “Parvati” and “Nandi.” The next temple is the “Sangameshwar” temple. In the year 2009, there were huge floods in the “Malaprabha” river and entire “Pattadakal” village had gone underwater. Many of the villagers had then taken refuge on the roof of this temple. This temple is quite specious and appears to have rock solid construction. I am not able to see much of decorations here on the roof but the walls have nice lattice work windows cut in stone and some relief sculptures but of smaller size.



Temples of Pattadakal; Mallikarjun on left, Virupaksha on right and Kashi Vishveshwar in middle

View of Malaprabha river from Virupaksha temple

The bull, Nandi

Virupaksha temple prayer hall

Sun God riding a chariot with 7 horses

Vishnu on outer wall of Virupaksha temple
The next temple ahead is “Pattadakal's” biggest and most famous temple of “Virupaksha.” This was constructed by queen “Lokamahadevi” pf Chalukya king “Vikramaditya II.” This temple was constructed as a mark of the famous victory won by this king over his arch-rival, “Pallava” king at “Kanchipuram.” The outer walls of the temple have some superb high relief sculptures, which not only include Gods and Goddesses like Shiva-Parvati, but also portray other subjects like all time favourites; couples in love and also an ascetic doing yoga. The 'couples in love' sculptures here appear to me somewhat of different style. Along with couples embracing each other, I can also see a couple here, where the lady is questioning or ordering her man.

Facing the main entry door to the temple a huge black coloured “nandi” or the bull, sits waiting for the command of his master, the God “ Virupaksha.” Behind this bull is the river bed of “Malaprabha.” This temple is quite impressive and shall always remain etched in my memory. I enter in the main prayer hall of the temple. Up above on the roof is a fabulous bass relief of the Sun God riding in his chariot of 7 horses representing 7 days of the week. All the pillars in this hall have small panels of miniature bass reliefs depicting stories from Ramayana, mahabharata and Bhagavata; important Hindu scriptures. To observe and study all sculptures here, one would need to spend at least few weeks here. Since I do not have that kind of time available, I continue to move.

Shiva killing a demon

 
Shiva, Parvati, Nandi

Angry lady as her man says no

Vishnu


The lady questions her man

Mahabharata bass relief panel

Bramha, Vishnu, Mahesh Parvati bass relief

Mallikarjun temple bass relief

churning of the sea

A panchatantra story


The bull and elephant with same head

Just on the side of “Virupaksha” temple, there is a similar temple, which was constructed by “Trailokyamahadevi,” the second wife of king “Vikramaditya II,” who incidentally was the younger sister of “Lokamahadevi.” This temple is known as “Mallikarjun” temple. The overall layout of this temple is very similar to “Virupaksha” temple. The difference is in the subjects chosen for the bass reliefs in side the temple hall, which are mostly from stories narrated in books like “Panchatantra,” and “puranas.” “Panchatantra” carries animal stories just like Aesop's fables. Both “Virupaksha” and “Mallikarjun” temples have towers of typical south Indian style and look quite different from other temples having north Indian curvilinear towers.


 
the couple have same hair style 


 
couple in love 

An argument

 
Latest fashions, a miniskirt and a kurti

The temple adjacent to “Mallikarjun” temple is known as “Kashi Vishveshwar” temple. In all the temples that I saw so far, the presiding deity was Shiva. This temple is also no different. The presiding deity here is also none other but Shiva. This temple has north Indian curvilinear style tower, yet the intricate design on the tower appears quite different and is making this temple to stand out.


Kashi Vishveshwar temple

In the history of temple Architecture of India, “Pattadakal” temple architecture is considered as a major milestone. Experts say that in “Pattadakal” one can find a eye pleasing combination of north and south Indian styles of architecture. Frankly I am no expert in this line and can not really add anything worthwhile.

As a layman, I am comparing the temples and sculptures of “Aihole” and those that are here. The temple architecture here is far superior, no doubt on that. I somehow prefer the high reliefs of “Aihole” which appear more lively and lifelike. The relief sculptures here are many more, have much varied subjects, yet do not appear that live, at least to me.

I have to hurry as our bus leaves now for “Badami”, the formal capital of Chalukyas. I am quite tired and also hungry. I must have my lunch, then relax for little and then proceed to the final stop for the day; the famous rock cut temples of “Badami.”

15 December 2012

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