Someshwara Temple is located in Haralahalli, Haveri Taluk, Haveri District, Karnataka State. Someshwara temple is situated on the left bank of Tungabhadra river. It is an example of ancient and important Hoysala architecture of the 13th century.
Haralahalli Someshwara Temple is about 330 km from Bangalore and 109 km from Hubli. And it is 33 km away from Haveri city. And it is 35 km away from Haveri railway station.
Haralahalli has a complex of three organized temples. Someshwar, Kaleshwar/Chikkeshwar and Udchamma. The Someshwara Temple stands tall in its full glory As we enter the compound, we are greeted by two small renovated structures on the northwest. These may also be tri-kuta temples. Two more temples are mentioned but the non-existent Daseshwar and Thuluvaleshwar temple. To the east of the temple complex is another renovated temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This is also an ancient temple which has deteriorated over time and has now been renovated.
Haralahalli Sri Someshwara Temple is a living triple temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has three sanctums in the east, north and south. The Haralahalli Sri Someshwara Temple has a small mukha mantapa leading to a large navaranga followed by a mantapa. Lord Someshwara is believed to be the “Swayambu” Linga that adorns the central sanctum sanctorum. After the sanctum there is a small gap. The torana is decorated with statues of Lord Brahma, Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Mahishasura Mardini. Only the two sanctum sanctorums have an elaborate stone mesh sanctum sanctorum. The best view of the temple is from the western side which offers a panoramic view of the entire structure, mini shikaras and reliefs. Although the central Shikara portion in the north-west has collapsed, the scene is mesmerizing.
The outer wall consists of seven layers of stone laid into a portico. The statues begin on the 5th slab. The lower panel contains 11 statues of erotic images, each separated by mini pillars. The central panel has a group of 11 shikaras separated by alternating figures of lion and elephant. The upper panel is a composition of 10 statues of dancers, musicians and erotic figures separated by a group of twin columns. The shikaras of the center plate are perfectly carved to fit over the pillars in the bottom plate. There are several reliefs of gods, goddesses and dance poses carved on the panels. Many of them are intricately carved with fine details. We can spot two monkeys jumping on the prey. Sapta Matrike can be found on the south side of the navaranga mandapam. There are several idols of Nagadeva and other sculptures in the navaranga.
Haralahalli Sri Someshwara Temple
Its original name is “Gottagadi” and it is referred to as one of the “Kalamukha Temples”. Kalamukh literally means “face of time” or “face of death”. The Kalamukhas are a Shaivite sect who originated from the Deccan and established one of the earliest monasteries in Mysore. Kalamukha finds reference not only in our Puranas but also in the Agama texts of Shaivism. Their rituals mainly used “machines”. The Kalamukha sect is divided into two sub-sects. Shaktiparisad and Simhaparisad. The Simha Parishad was more concentrated in Dharwad and Shimoga districts. An 8th century record speaks of a grant made by the Rashtrakutas and refers to a monastery in Mysore.
The reason for mentioning the Guttas is the ruler Vikramaditya-II whose name appears in the inscriptions. The Gutta rulers were vassals who ruled Guttavolal or Guttal. There is an inscription dated 1115 CE, which mentions Mallideva as the first member of the Gutta family. A record of 1124 CE at Honnavati mentions Joma as the younger brother of Mallideva. Another record of 1162 CE mentions Vikramaditya, son of Joma-II and Malli. Vikramaditya married Siriadevi. There is another record dated 1187 CE which mentions one Joideva as the chief. There are inscriptions that lead to the chronology of future rulers. Vikramaditya-II, Gutta-II, Hiriyadeva, Gutta-III, Joideva-IV, Gutta-IV and Vikramaditya-V. The complex is a conglomerate with structures included from Guttal’s caves. One to the north and the other to the south of the complex. These temples were known as Vikrameswara and Gutteswara.
