Thread by @History_Mystery

#KedareshvaraTemple is located in Balligavi, near Shikaripura in Shimoga, Karnataka. Dotted with centres of learning (agrahara), Balligavi was an important city during 11th - 12th century Western Chalukya rule. The building material used is soapstone.

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Garbhagriha in the shrines to the west and south contain the Shivalinga & cella to the north has an image of the God Vishnu. In its heyday, temple attracted a large number of followers of the Kalamukha sect of Shaivism.

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A four faced image of the God Brahma (Chaturmukha Brahma image), which at one time may have been inside the #KedareshvaraTemple, is on display in a museum within the temple complex.

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#KedareshvaraTemple is in trikuta style (three shrined, each with a superstructure or shikhara) with the shrines facing east, north and south. The western shrine has a vestibule where as the other two shrines have a "half hall" (ardhamantapa).

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All shrines open up to a six-pillared hall called mahamantapa which is preceded by a large ornate open "gathering hall" called sabhamantapa.

📷A frontal view displays the staggered square layout of mandapa (hall).

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📷1: The Hoysala crest (warrior fighting the lion) over  sukhanasi (tower over the vestibule) is a 12th-century addition in #KedareshvaraTemple at Balligavi.

📷2: Ornate bay ceiling.
📷3: A Sati stone (satigal) with old Kannada inscription of 1206.

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📷1: Hero stone (virgal) with old Kannada inscription of 1263 from rule of Yadava King Ramachandra in #KedareshvaraTemple.

📷2: Kirtimukha (demon face) on shikhara (tower).

📷3: Dev Naga (god snake) image at museum on temple premises.

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