Quest of Hoysala Temples - Shanthigramam

Shantigramam , A small humble village in the Hassan district named after the Hoysala Queen, said to have been presented to the Hoysala Queen Shantala devi by the King VishnuVardhana.

This humble village houses 2 Hoysala temples - Sowmya Kesava Temple and Yoga Bhoga Narasimha Temple. These are two temples till now which we found that had lesser carvings and extravagance of Hoysala architecture , they were really old and falling apart losing their olden day charm , yet they still hold the rich history and are popular pilgrim destinations.

The architecture is a mix of Hoysala and Chola and both the temples are Ekakuta's.

Sowmya Kesava Temple

Sowmya Kesava Temple

Sowmya Kesava or Channa Kesava Temple , dedicated to Lord Vishnu was our first stop in Shathigramam.

An Ekakuta , dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Here the idol is called Sowmya Kesava because of the beauty and calmness seen in the face of the God.

A mix of Chola and Hoysala architecture can be seen here. The gateway and the Vimana are later additions making the temple lose the originality of a regular Hoysala temple.

Newly Added Gopura

Yoga Bhoga Narasimha Swamy Temple

Our next stop was Yoga Bhoga Narasimha Swamy Temple sitting at banks of a lake.

Similar to Sowmya Kesava Temple , this temple also is a mix of both Hoysala and Chola architectures and does not boast extravagant carvings. A relatively simple temple yet a sort after pilgrim destination in the South.

An Ekakuta temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha. The idol of Narasimha Swamy is seen with SriDevi and Bhoo Devi on either side. The Lord is seen in Yoga Mudra and and also seen with Abhaya Hastha , delicious varieties of food is offered to the Lord hence combining all this the Narasimha in this temple gets the name Lakshmi Varadha Yoga Bhoga Narasimha.

Another highlight in this temple is the ring of Nine forms of Narasimha adoring the ceiling of the Temple.

Nava Narasimha

Nine forms of Narasimha seen in the ring -

Yoga Narasimha ( Lord is seen sitting in Yoga Mudra )

Bhoga Narasimha ( Lord who is offered with delicious food )

Ugra Narasimha ( Angry form of the Lord who killed Hiranyakashipu )

Pavana Narasimha ( Most peaceful form of Narasimha , who delivers the devotees from their sins )

Jwala Narasimha ( Angry form of God depicted with Fire )

Lakshmi Narasimha ( Form of Narasimha Swamy with Lakshmi devi placed on the lap ), Varadha Narasimha , Kroda Narasimha ,Karanji Narasimha

All these forms of Narasimha's can be found in nine different temples in Ahobilam and those who do not get a chance to visit them can visit and pray to this Ring of Nine forms of Narasimha which is considered equivalent to visiting all temples in Ahobilam !

How to Reach:

Route: Bangalore - NH75 - Shantigramam ( short diversion from the Highway )

Road Condition: Good

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