ಕ್ಷಣಪ್ರಭಾ - Kshanaprabhaa

The village Koravangala must have been a happening town during the Hoysala regime, for it had at least three temples built during those times. Along with the still-standng-strong Bucheshwara temple , the twin temples of Nakeshwara and Govindeshwara built in 1160 AD by the brothers of Buchi Raja, are also present. They are in a state of ruins and are neglected by the authorities, and what is disheartening further, is the fact that they have tried restoring the twin temples back to their former state of glory, but the renovation work has stopped midway, long ago. A few pictures of the ruined temple complex: Nakeshwara and Govindeshwara Temples, Koravangala from hmvprasanna on Vimeo .

With my Hoysala expedition briefly back on track, here's an update on my recent visit to Koravangala, a village 9 kms away from Hassan. This village is home to 3 temples of Hoysala period, two of which are in a state of disarray. This post, though, is about the ekakuta temple that stands tall within the small lakeside village, named the Bucheshwara Temple , built in 1173 AD by the prime minister of King Ballala, The Second, Buchi Raja . It houses the Shiva Linga named Bucheshwara in its only main sanctum sanctorum, and exactly opposite to this is a sanctum housing Suryanarayana , the Sun god. Also next to this is an enclosure housing Kala Bhairava , which has been locked out for a long time now. Unique to this temple are the external carvings that showcase the story of Prahlada and Hiranyakashipu, with all the tortures Prahlada was subjected to, in order to make him forget Hari, the god he believed in. The long lonely walk along the banks of the Koravangala lake that takes o...