The Group of temples at Talakad, located about 45 km south-east of the culturally important city ofMysore in the Karnataka state of India are ancient Hindu temples built by multiple South Indian dynasties. Archaeological excavations of the sand dunes at Talakad have shown the existence of several ruined temples built during the rule of the Western Ganga dynasty. However, according to historian I. K. Sarma, only two temples, the Pataleshvara and Maraleshvara, built during the reign of King Rachamalla Satyavakya IV are intact. According to the Archaeological Survey of India, the Vaidyeshvara temple, the largest, the most intact and ornate of the group bears Ganga-Chola-Hoysala architectural features. Its consecration is assignable to the 10th century with improvements made up to the 14th century. According to the art historianAdam Hardy, the Kirtinarayana temple was built in 1117 A.D. by the famous Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana to celebrate his victory over the Cholas in the battle of Talakad. It has currently been dismantled by the ASI for renovation. Only its mahadwara is intact. The Sand dunes of Talakad are protected by the Karnataka state division of the ASI. The Vaidyeshvara and Kirtinarayana temples are protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.
Plan of the temple
Both the Pataleshvara and Maraleshvara temples have on their original base a sanctum and a vestibule from the Ganga period. The tower over the shrine may be a Chola period renovation. The pillars and the pilasters in the main hall are similar to those in the Rameshvara Temple, Narasamangala. High quality Ganga workmanship with late Pallava influences is seen in the images of Hindu gods in these temples. These images include the four handed Mahavishnu, Durga standing on the horned head of the demon king Mahisha and Kartikeya in the Maraleshvara temple; and the images of Dakshinamurthy, Trimurti Brahma, Simhavahini Durga and Shiva at the Pataleshvara temple. The Vaidyeshvara temple comprises a sanctum with a Vesara tower in stucco, a vestibule that connects the sanctum to a short hall, a six-pillared hall and two entrance porchs facing east-west and southern directions. To the north, within the temple is another large hall with shrines for deities. The entire complex is built on a platform. The outer walls of the temple are articulated with pilasters, deities from the Shaiva faith and aedicula in relief. The ornate doorjamb and lintel over the entrance doorway to the pillared hall, with the 2 m tall reliefs of door-keepers on either side is typically Hoysala in workmanship. At the rear of the complex is a large bounding wall that houses independent sculptures from the Ganga, Hoysala and Vijayanagara periods.
According to Adam Hardy, The Kirtinarayana temple is a granite, single vimana plan, an ekakuta construction, with an open mantapa. The temple is similar in plan to the famous Chennakesava Temple at Belur. The temple has a typical stellate plan with the sanctum, vestibule and open hall mounted on a platform called jagati. These features are, according to historian Suryanath Kamath, standard to Hoysala architecture. The platform serves a dual purpose: improves visual effect as well as provides a path for ritual Circumambulation around the temple for devotees. The sanctum has an image ofNarayana. The decorative features in the temple are notable. At the entrance to the sanctum, the doorjamb and lintel are ornate, and the lathe turned pillars in the spacious hall support a ceiling that is decorated with floral designs. Mallikarjuna temple at Mudukuthore and Sri Arkeshwaraswamy Temple are located little far form the main Talakadu village.
