Talakadu: Vaidyanatheshwara Temple

By Meera

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Thank you for joining me from Part II

A visit to Talakadu from Bengaluru is pretty easy and comfortable. One of the most prominent temples of Talakadu, the Sri Vaidynatheswara Swamy temple is full of manifestations of Lord Shiva. This is one of the oldest temples excavated in Talakadu, the quaint pilgrimage town for many devotees of Shiva, and should not be missed. 

Vaidynatheswara temple 

 

Gajasthamba 

Although buried for centuries in the mounds of sand, one can take a peek at the Sri Vaidyanatheshwara Swamy Temple without trudging across miles of hot, sandy pathways. With our guide narrating about myths and tales associated with this spiritual town of five lingams, many anecdotes about kings and queens and curses and boons made for an interesting time pass. This is a land where the eastward flowing Cauvery River changes course while the sandy bank is spread across a wide area.

One of the panchlings 

Linga 

The outer façade of this ancient temple is bombarded by modern additions. Modern painted walls adorn this ancient 14th century Chola structure masking the original look and feel. This can be very frustrating to those who value the real essence. However, fortunately, they have not been able to hide the ancient sculptures and carvings with yellow paint.

Dwarpalikas at the entrance 

One Dwarpalika 

The attraction in this temple is the two Dwarapalikas which are very prominent tall structures highlighting its Chola heritage. If one looks carefully at the chest and stomach of the Dwarapalikas, it resembles a cow’s face. The doorways are carved with floral and rangoli patterns while the outer walls resemble Hoysala temple architecture.

Ganesh on mouse 

 There is a beautiful figure of Ganesha riding on his vehicle, the mouse, at the main doorway. There is also a statue of Nandi installed at the entrance. Apart from the Dwarapalikas, there are apsaras and other deities carved at the lower level. Narasimha avatar sculptures dominate the walls of the temple in many places. Idols of Lord Subramanya and Ganesha adorn the side of the walls. Different animal motifs have been etched on the temple walls.

Vishnu avatars 

Gajasthamba 

 As one enters Navaranga, the main doorway of the shrine, one can see a Gajasthamba standing in the outer mandapa. The Gajasthamba has beautiful carvings of Shivalinga and Trishul at the lower end. While, in the inner mandap, one can still see a plethora of deities including Durga, Kali, Nataraja, Bhadrakali, and Sharada despite the dark interiors. However, many of the temple pillars with their fine intricate carvings have been whitewashed distorting these exquisite images.

Join me in Part IV for more.

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