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MUKHALINGAM - LORD SHIVA |
The Mukhalingeswara temple :
The temple is an artistic marvel known to have built during the period of the King
Kamarnava (941-976 CE). It has a massive entrance flanked by huge lions leading to the
outer prakara (boundary wall) of the temple. As in any other Shivite temple a Nandi
mantapa is situated opposite to the sanctum in this outer prakara. An entrance adorned
with beautiful bands of decoration welcomes us into the inner prakara. This has eleven
small temples. The main temple can be entered through any of the two artistic entrances,
one from the south and the other from the east of the inner prakara. The outer wall is
marked by the presence of niches containing beautifully sculpted images and perforated
windows.
The Someswara
temple :
The simplicity of architecture (blanketed by the grandeur of sculpture) has led
archeologists to conclude that this is the earliest of the Mukhalingam temples. This
temple is located in the outskirts of the village of Mukhalingam. The niche images here
carry exquisite sculptures. Each niche is flanked by two smaller niches, and in each of
these are exquisite sculptures. The doorway of the temple bears images of the Ganga and
the Yamuna on either side.
Aniyanka
Bhimeswara Temple :
This temple was built slightly later than the Mukhalingeswara temple during the
period of King Aniyanka Bhima (979-1014 CE).This temple is very plain compared to the
grandeur of the Mukhalingeswara temple. The devakoshtas here bear images of Bhrama,
Narasimha and Dakshinamurthy. |
