About the TempleSituated in the village of Amruthapura which is 67 km from Chikmagalur town of the Karnataka, the Amrutesvara Temple is nestled in a peaceful place near the Bhadra River cistern, in the Malnad region. The temple is surrounded by coconut and palm plantations. The temple was built in 1196 C.E. by Amrutheshwara Dandanayaka. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it has a Shiva Ling made of saligram, a black kind of stone which was brought from River Kandikevale in Nepal. With the rise of the Hoysalas during the 11th and 12th centuries, Malnad experienced tremendous growth with many new cities being established around the region, and many new temples being built.
Temple Entrance
The Amrutesvara temple is built in the Hoysala style, and is exquisite. The outer walls of the temple has circular designs. This temple is in the ekakuta style, meaning it has just one vimana. There is a closed mandapa in front of the shrine which leads to a big open mandapa. The tower over the square shrine displays carvings of Kirthimukas and tiny towers. The Sukanasi bears the Hoysala emblem of Sala fighting a lion.
Temple Idol
The inner mandapa of the temple is supported by shining pillars that has domes which depicts floral designs. On the outer walls of the open mandapa, 140 panels portraying the scenes from the great Indian epics can be seen. On the south wall, 70 panels display the Ramayana, in a weird anti-clockwise pattern. On the South walls the scenes are carved in the normal clockwise direction. It has 25 panels which portray scenes from the life of Lord Krishna, while the remaining 45 panels depict the scenes from Mahabharata epic.
Temple Mandapa
HistoryThe Amrutesvara Temple was built in 1196 during the Hoysala period in 1196. It was built by, Amrutesvara Dandanayaka, a commander of the Hoysala Army of King Veera Ballala II. The famous Hoysala sculptor, Ruvari Mallitamma began his career with this temple. Within the temple complex, there is a large stone inscription that represents a fine example of medieval Kannada poetry.
Temple Wide View
How to reach
By Road: From Bangalore, get a bus to Chikmagalur and get down at Tankere. From Tankere get an auto or private vehicle to reach Amruthapura. Amruthapura is situated at about 4 kms from Tarikere.
By Train: The nearest railway station is at Tarikere.
By Air: The nearest airport is Bengaluru International Airport.
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