Temple Architecture of Chalukyas of Kalyani

While the buildings of the Chalukyas of the Badami are centred in and around Pattadakal, Aihole, Badami & Alampur, the buildings of the Western Chalukyas are widely dispersed, which reflect the system of the local government and decentralization in the Western Chalukyan Administration.

The major improvement over the previous Badami Chalukya temple was the “Architectural Articulation” or ornamentation on the outer walls of the shrine. The presence of Figure sculpture such as Heroes of Ramayana and Mahabharata and loving couples (Mithuna) was additional structure of these temples at the earliest period. The Western Chalukyan Temples are either Ekakuta (one mandapa of one shrine) or Dvikuta (a common hall attached to two shrines).  The style has characters of both the Northern as well as Dravidian temple architecture. This combination of both of these styles is known as Vesara Style, also Central Indian Style, which is represented by the Hoyasala Temples.

Most of the temples of the Western Chalukyas are dedicated to Shiva, some of them dedicated to Vishnu and Jain Tirthankars also. The Hoysalas architecture was clearly influenced by the Western Chalukyan Architecture.

Salient Features

The western Chalukya temples show an improvement over the previous experiments. These temples are show a transition from the Nagara to Dravida style and create a new style called Karnatadravida. The ornate columns are seen as one of the most important features and that is why some of the temples such as “Mahadeva Temple” are called finest in Karnataka after Halebid. The Temple plan in most of the plans is star shaped. Most temples are dedicated to Shiva and Nandi at the entrance of the shrine appears as a main feature.

Examples

Truketshwara Temple, Gadag

The Gadag Style, which can be recognized by the ornate columns in the temples, originated in the period of the Western Chalukya King Someshwara I. The finest example of Gadag style is Trikuteshwara Temple at Gadag.

This temple was created during the reign of Someshwara I in the 11th century. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and has three lingams mounted on a single stone. The ornate pillars are located in an exclusive Saraswati Shrine in the temple complex.

Temples of Lakkundi

Lakkundi is a tiny village in Gadag District of Karnataka. Here, we find 50 temples of the Western Chalukyan Empire, most important of which are Mahadeva Temple and Kahi Visheveshwar Temple. The place is also a source of around 30 inscriptions of the Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Seunas, Kadambas and Hoysalas.

Kasivisvesvara Temple, Lakkundi

Kasivisvesvara Temple, Lakkundi is one of the most ornate temples in Karnataka. This temple was initially built in the Western Chalukyan Empire and later additions were done by Verea Ballala II, the great Hoyasala King. It’s a Dvikuta Temple.

Mahadeva Temple, Itagi

About 20 kilometers from Nakkundi is located the Mahadeva Temple of Itagi. It was built by one of the commanders of the Western Chalukya King Vikramaditya VI in 1112 AD. This temple is one of the finest example of “Dravida Articulation” in Nagara style.

Doddabasappa Temple, Dambal

Doddabasappa Temple located at Dambal in Karnataka is one more example of fine Western Chalukyan Art. This temple is a variant of Dravida style called the karnatadravida Temple style. The temple is built on uninterrupted 24 pointed star shaped floor plan, which is different from the pre existing 6-12 and 24 interrupted star shaped temples.

Other Western Chalukya Temples are located at Kuknur, Lakmeshwar, Bankarupa etc.