Chandramouleshwara Temple

Chandramouleshwara temple at Unkal near Hubli-Dharwad

Chandramouleshwara temple entrance

Chandramouleshwar Temple is very near Unkal circle and Unkal Lake (on Old NH4 between Hubli and Dharwad).

Unkal is an area in the Hubli-Dharwad municipality in Karnataka. It is on old Pune – Bangalore highway NH4, about 3 km north of Hubli city centre. It has Unkal Lake, beautiful natural scene with water, cool breeze and joyous tourists. It is good picnic spot and must-visit place.

History

Chandramouleshwar is a 900-year-old temple from the Badami Chalukyan era.^[1] It was built on the lines of Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal temples, is a Monument of National Importance, and is designated as a Protected Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites (Act (1958)) by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Chandramouleshwara temple at Unkal near Hubli-Dharwad

Chandramouleshwara temple at Unkal near Hubli-Dharwad

Chandramouleshwara temple at Unkal near Hubli-Dharwad

Chandramouleshwar Temple at Unkal^[2][3] (probably the historical name was Unukallu^[4][5][6]) is a Chalukya architectural monument in the suburbs of Hubbali;^[7] it is an example of Chalukya architecture.^[8][9]

Details

• Unlike other Shiva temples in the North Karnataka region, the Chandramouleshwar Temple has four doors in as many directions, altogether accounting for twelve doors in the temple besides two Shivalingams and two Naandi statutes at the entrance. One of the two lingams is the 'Chaturmukha Lingam', a four-faced Shiva lingam, which is the speciality of the temple.

Chaturlingam

• The temple has sculpted walls and pillars of black granite stones. Images of dancing Lord Ganesha and jaalandhra at are a visual delight.

The architectural style that developed in this part is known as the Chalukya style.

Inscriptions

The presence of two 12th-century stone inscriptions in Unkal village show that the temple belongs to 11th or 12th century.

Conservation and restoration

Chandramouleshwar at Unkal Hubli-Dharwad

There is an urgent need of conservation and restoration of the Chandramouleshwar temple at Unkal.^[10][11]

The temple premises serve as a playground for children and youngsters to play cricket. It has become a victim of government apathy and urbanization. There is virtually no approach road to and encroachments on all the four sides of the temple. The roads leading to the temple are very small with arrack shops and other illegal trades. One has to cross rows of houses and narrow lanes to reach Chandramauleshwar temple.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun work very long back, started work on a compound wall to prevent further encroachments, but the work is half done.

Unkal Lake

Unkal lake near the temple

Unkal Lake is one of the water sources of Hubli-Dharwad and a picnic spot. Unkal Lake has a boating facility.

Unakal lake is the origin of river BEDTI. This river flows through western ghats and drains in Arabian sea. Also BEDTI river joins SHALMALA river near khalaghatagi and together they flow as river GANGAVALI. Origin of river SHALMALA is Someshwara temple Dharwad

See also

Gallery

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chandramouleshwara Temple.

• Chandramouleshwar Temple Unkal Hubli-Dharwad on Google Maps

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