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Val II, Issue:VIII, Sept 2012
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Indian Streams Research Journal
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Volume 2, Issue. 8, Sept 2012
ISSN:-2230-7850
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Architecture Under The Ganga Of Talakadu
C. CHANDRAPPA
Associate Professor Department of History. PG.Center,
Government Arts College Bangalore. Karanataka. 560 001.
Abstract:
The Ganga Dynasty of Talakadu was an important ruling dynasty of ancient
Karnataka in India which lasted from about 350 to 1000 AD. They are known as Western
Gangas to distinguish them from the Eastern Gangas who in later centuries ruled over
Kalinga (modern Orissa). The general belief is that the Western Gangas began their rule
during a time when multiple native clans asserted their freedom due to the weakening of
the Pallava empire in South India, a geo-political event sometimes attributed to the
southern conquests of Samudra Gupta. The Western Ganga sovereignty lasted from
about 350 to 550 CE, initially ruling from Kolar and later, moving their capital to
1
Talakad on the banks of the Kaveri River in modern Mysore district.
After the rise of the imperial Chalukyas of Badami, the Gangas accepted Chalukya overlordship
and fought for the cause of their overlords against the Pallavas of Kanchi. The Chalukyas were replaced by
the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta in 753 AD as the dominant power in the Deccan. After a century of struggle
for autonomy, the Western Gangas finally accepted Rashtrakuta overlordship and successfully fought
alongside them against their foes, the Chola Dynasty of Tanjavur. In the late 10th century, north of
Tungabhadra river, the Rashtrakutas were replaced by the emerging Western Chalukya Empire and the
Chola Dynasty saw renewed power south of the Kaveri river. The defeat of the Western Gangas by Cholas
2
around 1000 resulted in the end of the Ganga influence over the region.
Though territorially a small kingdom, the Western Ganga contribution to polity, culture and
literature of the modern south Karnataka region is considered important. The Western Ganga kings showed
benevolent tolerance to all faiths but are most famous for their patronage toward Jainism resulting in the
construction of monuments in places such as Shravanabelagola and Kambadahalli. The kings of this
dynasty encouraged the fine arts due to which literature in Kannada and Sanskrit flourished.
Chavundaraya's writing, Chavundaraya Purana of 978 AD, is an important work in Kannada prose. Many
3
classics were written on various subjects ranging from religion to elephant management.
ARCHITECTURE
The Ganga style of architecture was influenced by the Pallava and Badami Chalukya architectural
features, in addition to indigenous Jain features.4 The Ganga pillars with a conventional lion at the base and
a circular shaft of the pillar on its head, the stepped Vimana of the shrine with horizontal mouldings and
Please cite this Article as :C. CHANDRAPPA , Architecture Under The Ganga Of Talakadu : Indian Streams Research
Journal (Sept. ; 2012)
Architecture Under The Ganga Of Talakadu
2
square pillars were features inherited from the Pallavas. These features are also found in structures built by
5
their subordinates, the Banas and Nolambas.
The monolith of Gomateshwara commissioned by Chavundaraya is considered the high point of
the Ganga sculptural contribution in ancient Karnataka. Carved from fine-grained white granite, the image
stands on a lotus. It has no support up to the thighs and is 60 feet (18 m) tall with the face measuring 6.5 feet
(2.0 m). With the serene expression on the face of the image, its curled hair with graceful locks, its
proportional anatomy, the monolith size, and the combination of its artistry and craftsmanship have led it to
be called the mightiest achievement in sculptural art in medieval Karnataka. 6It is the largest monolithic
7
statue in the world. Their free standing pillars called Mahasthambha or Bhrahmasthambha are also
8
considered unique, examples of which are the Brahmadeva pillar and Tyaga Brahma pillars. At the top of
the pillar whose shaft (cylindrical or octagonal) is decorated with creepers and other floral motifs is the
seated Brahma and the base of the pillar normally has engravings of important Jain personalities and
inscriptions.9
Other important contributions are the Jain basadis' whose towers have gradually receding stories
(talas) ornamented with small models of temples. These tiny shrines have in them engravings of tirthankars
(Jain saints). Semicircular windows connect the shrines and decorative Kirthimukha (demon faces) are
used at the top. The Chavundaraya basadi built in the 10th or 11th century, Chandragupta basadi built in the
6th century and the monolithic of Gomateshwara of 982 CE are the most important monuments at
Shravanabelagola.10 Some features were added to the Chandragupta basadi by famous Hoysala sculptor
Dasoja in the 12th century. The decorative door jambs and perforated screen windows which depict scenes
11
from the life of King Chandragupta Maurya are known to be his creation.
The Panchakuta basadi
(five towered temple) at Kambadahalli of 900 with a Brahmadeva pillar is an excellent example of
Dravidian art.12 The wall niches here are surmounted by torana (lintel) with carvings of floral motifs, flying
divine creatures (gandharva) and imaginary monsters (makara) ridden by Yaksas (attendants of saints)
13
while the niches are occupied by images of tirthankars themselves.
The Gangas built many Hindu temples with impressive Dravidian gopuras containing stucco
figures from the Hindu pantheon, decorated pierced screen windows which are featured in the mantapa
(hall) along with saptamatrika carvings (seven heavenly mothers). 14 Some well known examples are the
Kapileswara temple at Manne, Kolaramma temple at Kolar and the Kallesvara temple at Aralaguppe. At
Talakad they built the Maralesvara temple, the Arakesvara temple and the Patalesvara temple. Unlike the
Jain temples where floral frieze decoration is common, Hindu temples were distinguished by friezes (slab
of stone with decorative sculptures) illustrating episodes from the epics and puranas. 15 Another unique
legacy of the Gangas are the number of virgal (hero stones) they have left behind; memorials containing
16
sculptural details of war scenes, Hindu deities, saptamatrikas and Jain tirthankars.
Chavundaraya basadi on Chandragiri hill in Shravanabelagola temple complex
Various temples in the Jaina, Shaiva and Vishnu traditions were built under the Ganga Sovereign
Dynasty, which was subordinate to Pallava from 350 to 550, under Chalukya overlordship until 753 and
under Rashtrakuta overlordship until 1100. The construction of monuments such as Gomateshwara (982 –
983) in places such as Shravanabelagola, Kambadahalli and Talakadu by the Ganga kings reflect a
tolerance to different faiths. Some Vaishnava temples were built by the Gangas, such as the Narayanaswami
Indian Streams Research Journal • Volume 2 Issue 8 • Sept 2012
Architecture Under The Ganga Of Talakadu
3
17
temples in Nanjangud, Sattur and Hangala, in the modern Mysore district.
GOMATESHWARA
Gomateshwara (983), situated in Shravanabelagola is a monolithic statue standing 17.8 metres
(58 ft) high above a hill (618 steps climb leads to this monolith), and is visible from a distance of 30
kilometres (19 mi) and regarded as one of the largest monolithic statues in the world. The statue was built by
the Ganga minister and commander Chavundaraya (940–989) in honour of Lord Bahubali. Carved from
fine-grained white granite, the image stands on a lotus. It has no support up to the thighs and is 60 feet (18 m)
tall with the face measuring 6.5 feet (2.0 m). With the serene expression on the face of the image, its curled
hair with graceful locks, its proportional anatomy, the monolith size, and the combination of its artistry and
18
craftsmanship have led it to be called the mightiest achievement in sculptural art in medieval Karnataka.
It
19
is the largest monolithic statue in the world.
PANCHAKUTA BASADI (JAIN BASADI)
This is one of the most elegant monuments built in Dravidian, Vesara and Nagara styles during the
period between 900 and 1000. The temple, which is oriented to the north towards the Brahmadeva pillar,
has five shrines (hence the name Panchakuta). Three shrines are connected to a mantapa by a vestibule and
consist of the main shrine of tirthankara Adinatha flanked by Neminatha shrine to the east and Shanthinatha
shrine containing a 3 metres (9.8 ft) tall idol of the tirthankara to the west. The other two shrines, which are
disconnected and lie to the north of the trikuta cluster (three shrines), are also dedicated to tirthankaras.
These are two different monuments.20
TALAKAD TEMPLE
Talakad is a historical site along the banks of the Cauvery River near Mysore. The temples, whose
deities are regularly worshipped, such as the Kirthinarayana Temple, are either uncovered frequently or are
protected continuously from accumulation of sand. The sand is removed to uncover them for a specific
worship and an important pilgrimage held every five to twelve years; the recent Panchalinga Darshana
21
pilgrimage was held during December 2006.
NANJANGUD TEMPLE
The temple, located at Nanjangud on the right bank of the Kabini River, was originally built in
Dravidian style by the Ganga Dynasty rulers in the 9th century during their occupation of this region. It has
undergone extensions during the reign of Cholas, Hoysalas, and Wodeyars from the 9th to 19th centuries. It
is one of the biggest temples in Karnataka with an area of 560 square feet (52 m2) and with a Gopura (tower)
22
of 120 metres (390 ft) height, which has seven stories with seven gold plated Kalasas on top of the Gopura.
The uniqueness of the temple is that it has 66 idols of Shaiva saints called as Nayamnars and more
than 100 Lingas (of different kinds and sizes) including the main deity of Srikanteshwara
(Nanjundeshwara) Linga. The main deity is also called Hakim Nanjundeswara; a title given by Tippu
Sultan. It is inscribed in the temple history that on Tippu Sultan's special prayers to the deity, eyesight of the
royal elephant was restored, where after the Sultan had a lingam made of jade along with an emerald
23
necklace and donated it to the temple.
Mantapa, Panchakuta Basadi and Temple recovered from sand dunes at Talakadu
Indian Streams Research Journal • Volume 2 Issue 8 • Sept 2012
Architecture Under The Ganga Of Talakadu
4
CONCLUSIONS.
The Ganga Dynasty of Talakadu was an important ruling dynasty of ancient Karnataka from about
350 to 1000 AD. They are known as Western Gangas to distinguish them from the Eastern Gangas who in
later centuries ruled over Kalinga (modern Orissa). Though territorially a small kingdom, the Western
Ganga contribution to polity, culture and literature of the modern south Karnataka region is considered
important. The Western Ganga kings showed benevolent tolerance to all faiths
The Gangas built many Hindu temples and Jain basadis.The Ganga style of architecture was
influenced by the Pallava and Badami Chalukya architectural features, in addition to indigenous Jain
features.The monolith of Gomateshwara, Other important contributions are the Jain basadis' whose towers
have gradually receding stories (talas) ornamented with small models of temples, Chavundaraya basadi,
Panchakuta basadi (five towered temple) at Kambadahalli, Kapileswara temple at Manne, Kolaramma
temple at Kolar and the Kallesvara temple at Aralaguppe, Maralesvara temple, the Arakesvara temple and
the Patalesvara temple at Talkad, Nanjundeshwara temple at Nanjangud are some examples of the
Architectural splendours of the Gangas of talakadu
REFERENCES
1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ganga_Dynasty#Architecture
2.Ibid
3.Ibid.
4.Kamath, Suryanath U. (2001) [1980]. A concise history of Karnataka : from pre-historic times to the present.
Bangalore: Jupiter books. pp 50–52.
5.Ibid., p 50
6.Ibid., p 51
7.Keay, John (2000). India: A History. New York: Grove Press. p. 324
8.Kamath (2001), p. 52.
9.Ibid., p 52
10.Adiga, Malini (2006) [2006]. The Making of Southern Karnataka: Society, Polity and Culture in the early medieval
period, AD 400–1030. Chennai: Orient Longman., p.256.
11.Ibid., p.269
12.Khajane, Muralidhara. "An ancient site connected with Jainism". The Hindu. 2006/02/03.
13.Adiga 2006, p.268.
14.Kamath (2001), p.51.
15.Adiga 2006, p.268.
16.Kamath (2001), p.52.
17."Architectural Wonders". Archived from the original on 23 October 2009. http://www.soans.com/ArchWond2.htm.
Retrieved 2009-09-26.
18.Kamath (2001) p.51.
19.Keay, John (2001). India: A History. Grove Press. p. 608.
20."According to Robert J. Delbonta, who researched the monument, An article in The Hindu". 2006-02-03
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip /print.pl ?
file=2006020313510400.htm&date=2006/02/03/&prd=th&. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
21"The Thalakaadu phenomenon: A miracle or an ecological disaster?" (PDF).
http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/dec102007/1495.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
22"Nanjundeshwara Temple". Archived from the original on 29 October 2009.
http://www.nanjangud.info/nanjangud_temple.html. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
23"Nanjundeshwara Temple". Archived from the original on 29 October 2009.
http://www.nanjangud.info/nanjangud_temple.html. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
Indian Streams Research Journal • Volume 2 Issue 8 • Sept 2012