Chandramouleshwara Temple

Chandramouleshwara temple at Unkal in Hubli-Dharwad
Chandramouleshwara temple entrance

Chandramouleshwar Temple is very near Unkal circle and Unkal Lake (on Old NH4 in Hubli.

Unkal is an area in the Hubli-Dharwad municipality in Karnataka. It is on old Pune – Bangalore highway NH4, about 3 km north of Hubli city centre. It has Unkal Lake, beautiful natural scene with water, cool breeze and joyous tourists. It is good picnic spot and must-visit place.

History

Chandramouleshwar is a 900-year-old temple from the Badami Chalukyan era.[1] It was built on the lines of Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal temples, is a Monument of National Importance, and is designated as a Protected Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites (Act (1958)) by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Chandramouleshwara temple at Unkal near Hubli-Dharwad
Chandramouleshwara temple at Unkal near Hubli-Dharwad
Chandramouleshwara temple at Unkal near Hubli-Dharwad

Chandramouleshwar Temple at Unkal[2][3] (probably the historical name was Unukallu[4][5][6]) is a Chalukya architectural monument in the suburbs of Hubbali;[7] it is an example of Chalukya architecture.[8][9]

Details

  • Unlike other Shiva temples in the North Karnataka region, the Chandramouleshwar Temple has four doors in as many directions, altogether accounting for twelve doors in the temple besides two Shivalingams and two Naandi statutes at the entrance. One of the two lingams is the 'Chaturmukha Lingam', a four-faced Shiva lingam, which is the speciality of the temple.
Chaturlingam
  • The temple has sculpted walls and pillars of black granite stones. Images of dancing Lord Ganesha and jaalandhra at are a visual delight.

The architectural style that developed in this part is known as the Chalukya style.

Inscriptions

The presence of two 12th-century stone inscriptions in Unkal village show that the temple belongs to 11th or 12th century.

Conservation and restoration

Chandramouleshwar at Unkal Hubli-Dharwad

There is an urgent need of conservation and restoration of the Chandramouleshwar temple at Unkal.[10][11]

The temple premises serve as a playground for children and youngsters to play cricket. It has become a victim of government apathy and urbanization. There is virtually no approach road to and encroachments on all the four sides of the temple. The roads leading to the temple are very small with arrack shops and other illegal trades. One has to cross rows of houses and narrow lanes to reach Chandramauleshwar temple.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun work very long back, started work on a compound wall to prevent further encroachments, but the work is half done.

Temple is opened only from sunrise to sunset.

Unkal Lake

Unkal lake near the temple

Unkal Lake is one of the water sources of Hubli-Dharwad and a picnic spot. Unkal Lake has a boating facility.

Unakal lake is the origin of river BEDTI. This river flows through western ghats and drains in Arabian sea. Also BEDTI river joins SHALMALA river near khalaghatagi and together they flow as river GANGAVALI. Origin of river SHALMALA is Someshwara temple Dharwad

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tourist spots in Hubli-Dharwad". Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17.
  2. ↑ "Alphabetical List of Monuments - Karnataka - Dharwad, Dharwad Circle, Karnataka". Retrieved 2009-03-13.
  3. ↑ "History of Goa". Archived from the original on 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  4. ↑ "CHAPTER 9. THE CALUKYAS AND THE KALACURYAS OF KALYANI. HISTORY – ANCIENT PERIOD, Chalukya" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  5. ↑ "Chandramouleshwar Temple at Hubballi". Retrieved 2008-08-14.
  6. ↑ "PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE TOWN OF HUBLI, Chandramouleshwar Temple at Hubballi". Archived from the original on 2008-12-08. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
  7. ↑ "History of Karnataka, The Chalukyas of Kalyani". Retrieved 2008-08-14.
  8. ↑ "The Chalukyan magnificence". Retrieved 2008-08-14.
  9. ↑ "THE CHALUKYAN ARCHITECTURE". Retrieved 2008-08-14.
  10. ↑ "900-yr-old temple turns playground, Architectural Marvel Is Victim Of Govt Apathy, Times of India Bangalore, November 25, 2008; Times Region, Page: 7". Vincent D’Souza, TNN. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
  11. ↑ "Encroachments threaten 900-year-old temple". TNN. 2001-05-13. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
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