Thread by @sk_diary1

Sri Madhukeshwara #temple,Banavasi
near Sirsi,Karnataka - one of the oldest temple with Stunning mix of #architecture

Dedicated to Lord Shiva & it is honey-hued Lingam hence the name Madhukeshwara.

2 Beautiful #elephant sculptures welcome the visitors to this temple.
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Initial structures were built by the Kadamba dynasty.After the Kadamba reign was the ruled by Chalukyas &the Hoysalas.Additions and renovations were made to the temple by these rulers.In a way this temple showcases different architectural styles over the years.
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Nritya mandapa is attributed to the Hoysala rulers - ceiling, walls & pillars( Hoysalas) of this mandapa are exquisitely carved.It has a 7-foot tall monolithic
#Nandi which is sculpted & placed in a way that left eye will see shiva & right eye sees Parvathi.

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#Madukeshwara #Temple has separate shrines for each of the eight Ashtathik Balahas along with their consorts and their vahanas in the respective directions.
Panchaloka Bell, it is believed to be donated by an ancient Maratha queen, reverberates “Ohm” sound close to a minute.

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One of the highlights of this temple is an intricately carved stone cot and a triloka mandapa.This was made by the Sonde rulers, with granite which is much harder to carve.
A vertically sliced Ganesha idol. It is believed that the other half of this stone idol is in Varanasi.
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📷 - Rajendran Ganesan
Source text - /karnataka.com
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Madhukeshwara #temple,Banavasi - #Thread
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