Chandramouleshwara Temple

The Chandramouleshwar Temple in Hubli City, Unkal[1][2] area (probably, historically named as Unukallu[3][4]), is a 900 year old temple built during the Badami Chalukyan era. It is situated near Unkal circle, Unkal Lake (on Old NH4 in Hubli.)

Chandramouleshwara temple at Unkal in Hubli-Dharwad
Chandramouleshwara temple entrance

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. The beautiful, natural, scenic Unkal Lake is located in this area. It is a good picnic spot and a must-visit place.

The Chandramouleshwar temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. It houses two big Shivalingas. The main shrine has four entrances in all the four directions. The presiding deity of the shrine, Lord Chandramouleshwar faces east. The other Linga is known as Chaturmukha Linga, literally meaning the four faced Linga.

The temple remains open from sunrise to sunset.

History

Chandramouleshwar is estimated to be a 900-year-old temple from the Badami Chalukyan era.[5] Chalukyas built this temple in the 11th - 12th century. It was built on the lines of Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal temples. Fables say that the Chalukyans wanted to boast their architectural prowess and wealth to their enemies. To do so, the Chalukyans commissioned anonymous artisans to build this temple overnight. But, the artisans couldn't complete the work within a night and the temple structure remains incomplete. According to some folklore, the sculptor Jaknacharya and his son built this temple. It 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

It is located in suburbs of Hubbali;[4][6][7]

Details
  • Unlike other Shiva temples in the North Karnataka region, the garbhagriha of the Chandramouleshwar Temple has four doors in all the four directions. The pradakshina path has four entrances. The mukhyamandapa too has four entrances, altogether accounting for twelve doors in the temple.
  • One of the two lingams is the 'Chaturmukha Lingam', a four-faced Shiva lingam, is a unique feature of the temple.
Chaturlingam
  • The temple has sculpted walls and pillars of black and red granite stones. Images of dancing Lord Ganesha and Jaalandhra are a visual delight.
  • On either side of the mukhyamandapa, jalandhars with dancing apsaras and musicians are carved.


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.[8][9]

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 the temple. The encroachments on all the four sides of the temple make it difficult to access by vehicle. 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 Chandramouleshwar temple.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had begun work on the temple premises very long back. It started work on a compound wall to prevent further encroachments, but this work too remains incomplete.


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.

Unkal lake is the origin of river Bedti. This river flows through the western ghats and drains in Arabian sea. Also, Bedti river joins Shalmala river near Kalaghatagi and together they flow as river Gangavali. Origin of river Shalmala is Someshwara temple Dharwad.

See also

References
  1. "History of Goa". Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 10 March 2009.
  2. "Alphabetical List of Monuments - Karnataka - Dharwad, Dharwad Circle, Karnataka". Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  3. "CHAPTER 9. THE CALUKYAS AND THE KALACURYAS OF KALYANI. HISTORY – ANCIENT PERIOD, Chalukya" (PDF). Retrieved 10 March 2009.
  4. "History of Karnataka, The Chalukyas of Kalyani". Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  5. "Tourist spots in Hubli-Dharwad". Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013.
  6. "The Chalukyan magnificence". Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  7. "THE CHALUKYAN ARCHITECTURE". Archived from the original on 3 July 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  8. "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 21 February 2009.
  9. "Encroachments threaten 900-year-old temple". TNN. 13 May 2001. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
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