Brahmeshvara Temple is a 12th-century Hindu temple with Hoysala architecture located in Kikkeri village, Krishnarajapet taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka state. This temple is one of the many important dilapidated temples in the Kikkeri area of Krishnarajapet taluk, possessing remarkable artworks.
This temple is located about 155 km from Bangalore and 73 km from Mandya. It is also 15 km from Krishnarajpet taluk.
Dedicated to Shiva, the temple is notable for its integration of Vedic deities along with all the major traditions of Hinduism, namely Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism. The east-facing temple features several innovations in Karnataka tradition Hindu architecture.
The outer walls of this temple have adicules illustrating Hindu temple architecture from various parts of India (adicules are also represented in art as a form of decoration). Nagara (North, West, East), Dravidian (South), Vesara (Deccan), Bhumija (Central, East) and combined forms. The carvings, Rajya Dhaki and Meister, are elaborate and of good quality.
Architecture
This temple is located within a precinct and is accompanied by a smaller Devi temple. It has a sanctum sanctorum (Ekakuta) facing east. Unlike other large Hoysala temples that stand on the ground, this temple is situated directly on the ground. It has two entrances facing each other from the north and south. After these entrances, on one side is the Nandi Mantapa, which houses Shiva’s vehicle. The other side leads to the Navaranga Mantapa (pilgrim’s assembly hall), which connects to the Antarala (front room, west of Nandi), followed by the Garbhagriha. The architecture of each of these sections follows the principles of square and circle in Hindu architecture.
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