The Lesser Known Hoysala Temple - Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli

On our day trip to the lesser known Hoysala Temples in Hassan district, after Koravangala and Mosale, we had lunch in Hassan and headed to Doddagaddavalli. Doddagaddavalli is off Hassan-Belur road. We reached the temple by around 4, by then the care taker/guide was about to leave. But he opened the temple for us and guided. While he told, since it was a week day there were no much visitors, watchman is there 24 hours and he opens the temple for visitors in his absence(till 5/6PM).

 

There are 92 Hoysala temples in Karnataka. These temples are known to be Ekakuta, Dwikuta, Thrikuta, Chatushkuta and Panchkuta, depending on the number of shrines and towers. Lakshmi Devi temple in Doddagaddavalli is a Chatushkuta temple, with four shrines and towers, also are four towers at the four corners of the temple compound. Each gopura(tower) has the kalasha and Hoysala crest at the top.

 

 

The temple is said to be built in the year 1114 A.D, by Kallahana Rahutha(from Kolhapur, Maharastra), a wealthy merchant in Hoysala court. The place was called Abhinava Kolhapura, connecting it with Kolhapur. The main deity of the temple is Kali also called Aadhi Shakthi, Maha Shakthi, in polite mood, so called SoumyaKali. At the foot of the goddess is the demon Shumbha Nishumbha, the goddess is said to be in her polite mood after killing the demon.

There is SaptaMatrike(7 forms of Goddess)on the top of the door, and Nagakanye and Vishakanye(maids of Goddess) on either side of the door. Guarding the sanctum are Bhuta and Preta, very rare sculptures in skeleton form, found no where else.

Opposite to the sanctum(facing the Kali idol)is the shrine of Kalabhairaveshwara(a form of Lord Shiva), while we were told, there was a Vishnu idol previously, which was stolen and then a small idol of Kalabhairaveshwara was placed at its place. The platform has Garuda(Vishnu's vahana/vehicle).

Other deity in the temple include, Mahalakshmi(to the left of sanctum), which resemble the Mahalakshmi idol, at Mahalakshmi temple of Kolhapur. And its a very rare sculpture of goddess Lakshmi in standing posture, while goddess Lakshmi is mostly found in sitting posture. The goddess here hold Shankha, Chakra, Gadha, Hasta, while most Lakshmi idols are found to be holding Lotus. 

And to the right of the sanctum is Boothanatheshwara, in the form of Shiva Linga. So its believed that you can't worship the lord, by laying down, as you have idols of god and goddess on all four directions and worshiping the lord by laying down, will point your toes to one of the idols.

There is a small opening at the back of the temple compound, which opens to the lake. It was locked and we didn't get to reach the water.
Driving Direction:
Doddagaddavalli is around 18kms from Hassan off Hassan-Belur Road. After driving around 15km, there is a Karnataka State Tourism board on the left hand side. Take that route, you cross two or three small villages, Chikkagaddavalli and others, drive through to reach Doddagaddavalli. You need to drive through the narrow lanes of the village, ask for directions from the locals, they will guide you. The temple is just next to a lake, and the road ends just at the gate of the temple. You can connect your visit to Doddagaddavalli, while planning Belur( if you are planning in private vehicle). There are Karnataka State Road Transport buses from Hassan too, but very limited.