Deccan Herald - Amidst temples and ruins

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Amidst temples and ruins

The many ruins and temples at Bandalike, which was once a popular pilgrim centre of the Jains, narrate interesting stories. A V S Rao visits the place and comes back impressed.

Bandalike, also called as Bandanike, situated near Shikaripur in Karnataka, was the earliest capital of Nagarkhand Seventy. Now a ruined and deserted village, the inscription here informs that it was ruled by the wise Chandragupta. Bandalike was a prosperous Agrahara and a popular pilgrim centre for the Jains even from the beginning of the 10th century. According to the inscriptions found here, this place was earlier known as Bandhavapura and was ruled by Navanandas from 911 to 1510 AD, and by Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Kalachuryas, Hoysalas, Yadavas and Vijayanagar kings from time to time. Popularly called as Kuntala Desha, between the Rivers Bhima and Vedavati, the region became famous during the rule of Nagarjuna Nadagonda. Later, his Queen Jakkiyabbe became the first woman ruler of Nagarkhand. She was a pious Jain devotee and built a number of temples and basadis in Bandalike. The famous Shantinatha basadi was built by her in 918 AD, along with a huge reservoir called Naga Tirtha. Her successor Bopparasa of Somavamsha built a beautiful palace in the centre of Bandalike. He also built the famous Trimurthi temple. Subsequent ruler Machi Nayaka constructed the Someshwara temple and adorned it with a golden kalasha. The ruins of Shantinatha basadi can be seen at the entrance of Bandalike village. Originally, it had a front mantapa with a verandah all around and the entrance on either sides. The idol of Shantinatha is not found in the garbhagriha, but a mutilated Jaina figure is found outside. The pillars of navaranga are decorated with supported rows of sculpted flowers, animals and an artistic chakrabandha. The Trimurthi temple has several cells with sukhanasis, ornamental doorways and niches at the sides. This temple is also called as Boppeshwara temple, as it was built by Bopparasa in 1181 AD. The doorways have well carved lintels and five screens at the sides. The temple faces east, with the Shiva Lingas in west and south cells, and a figure of Vishnu in the north cell. The lintels have figures of Gajalakshmi, Mahishamardini and Tandaveshwara. There is also a well executed Simha Lalata. Over the cells there are three towers with projections in front without the Hoysala crest. This temple is remarkable for its elegance and symmetry. The most popular ancient temple in Bandalike is the one dedicated to Banashankari. This is also called as Maya Devi shrine. Local devotees worship the goddess as Maha Durgi. It is believed that in the olden days, this temple was the centre of tantrik rituals by a group of kalamukhas. As a number of shrubs and small forest trees have grown around this shrine due to negligence over a long period, this goddess has gained the names of Banashankari, Bana Devi and Bandamma. Most probably, the village also came to be called after this deity as Bandalike. Travel Tips Bandalike is about 81 km from Shimoga and is connected by a good motorable road up to Narasapura via Shiralakoppa. A distance of 3 km from Narasapur has to be covered either on foot or by bullock cart to reach Bandalike. Regular bus services are operated up to Narasapur from Shimoga, Sagara and Shikaripur. Nothing is available either at Bandalike or Narasapur. Visitors should carry with them sufficient food packets and plenty of drinking water. Moderate grade hotels are available in

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Deccan Herald - Amidst temples and ruins

http://archive.deccanherald.com/Content/Jul292008/spectrum20080728...

Shiralakoppa. Theres a PWD Pravasi Mandir at Shikaripur for an overnight stay.

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10-Jan-14 8:50 PM