Temples of Gadag_LAKKUNDI

Gadag-A district  endowed with many unique temples and architecture which I learn is  called the Gadag architecture or the western chalukyan architecture. I visited quite a few in this district and many more on the anvil. 

The first and the most beautiful are the monuments in Lakkundi. Situated about 12 kms from Gadag, a small town, boasts of many temples-more than 50, only a few have been restored by the ASI and they are truly master pieces. A museum maintained by ASI houses  many sculptures picked up in the vicinity of the town.

The Brama Jinalya

This headless image of a Thirthankara stands etched in time

The Kasi Vishweshwara temple -Probably unique clubbed to it is the Surya Temple. Richly decorated with tales form Mahabharata. Notice the architecture-Unlike the sand stones of Badami, Aihole , probably is the locally available stone and inspired by the north Indian architecture perfected by the earlier Chalukaians.

Classic view of the Surya temple from both sides 

 

The beautiful pillared Nanneshwara Temple seen across the road

This is a beautifully tank Bhavi-never seen a tank this beautiful laid out in the precints of  the mannikeshwara temple.

A delight to sit on the steps and marvel the skills of the  artisans 

Krimchi

This was the last of our sojourn to Jammu, put a perfect icing on the cake.  A short detour of about 10 kms from the town of Udhampur brings us to Krimchi. That this temples had a Greek influence in the architecture made me eager to see this place and I should give the credit to my kid brother who influenced this visit not withstanding the fast approaching twilight.

At the village square, one need to take a deviation  and walk down this Path that lead to the Krimchi temples which are situated on the banks of river Burunala.

A good half a km walk in the wilderness, going up and down the hillock, This first sight of the temple Shikara burst opens. But its perched on a small hillock yet another climb to take to the isolated temple complex

Shikaras of the Krimchi temple complex.

If the palace of Virat was nearby at Aaknoor, can the palace of Kichaka be far behind ? Krimchi was purported to be founded by Raja Kichaka of Mahabarata times .

Said to bear close resembles to the ones at Bhuvaneshwar, I would say the shikaras at Aihole and Patadakal in Karnataka are similar.

 

All the material available on the Net talks of the Hellenic (Greek) Influence in the construction of these temples, but never mentions in what way. I may have to request fellow blogger from Greece Phivos Nicolaides to point out if he can spot  any influence.

Could it be the columns at the entrance. Are they similar to the columns of Parthenon?