• Shiva

Doddabasappa Temple

Overview


The Doddabasappa temple is located in the Dambal village in Gadag district, Karnataka. The Doddabasappa temple is one of the major architectural monuments in Gadag district. The temple was built during the period of the Later Chalukyas - the Western or Kalyani Chalukya dynasty. Dambal used be a major centre of Buddhism till the 12th century. The main deity here is Lord Shiva in the form of a Shiva Linga. The interior of the temple is of conventional design with a sanctum and a mandapa with a passage connecting the two.


About the temple


The temple is based on a very original 24-pointed uninterrupted stellate (star shaped) plan and uses soapstone as its basic building material. Contemporary stellate plans of the Bhumija shrines in central India from where the inspiration for this temple came from were all 32-pointed interrupted types. No temples of the 6-, 12-, or 24-pointed stellate plans are known to exist in Karnataka or Maharashtra, with the exception of the Doddabasappa temple, which can be described as a 24-pointed uninterrupted plan.[5] In an 'interrupted' stellate plan, the stellate outline is interrupted by orthogonal (right-angle) projections in the cardinal directions, resulting in star points that have been skipped.

Nandi (vehicle of Shiva-bull) faces the shrine through the eastern doorway. The Doddabasappa temple marks the mature development of the Chalukyan art which originated from basic dravida architecture of South India. Its departure from conventional dravida plan used in the Virupaksha temple in Pattadakal is so extreme that it would be very difficult to find similarities without detailed examination. A star shape is obtained by rotating a square about its centre. The star points form equidistant projections. The angles and re-entrant angles thus formed make the perimeter of the outerwall of the shrine.

The star projections are carried right up the superstructure (tower over the shrine — Shikhara), giving it an exotic look, though it loses strength in comparison to the square superstructures found in conventional dravida plans. The storied arrangement of the superstructure found in dravida plans is not easily distinguishable here. The upper tiers of the seven-tiered (tala) superstructure look like cogged wheels with 48 dents.

The pillars in this temple are finely chiseled and "complicated" but lack the elegance of those at the Kasivisvesvara Temple in Lakkundi. The entrance to the shrine has above it a decorative architrave with space for images (now missing) of the Hindu Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Depending on the dedication of the temple, either Vishnu or Shiva would take the central position in this arrangement. The entrance to the sanctum is elaborately decorated on either side with designs that are floral containing tiny images of dancers, musicians and even a mithuna couple (Gemini). In the main mantapa (hall) there are three images, one of the "five headed" Brahma and his vehicle (vahana), the goose, and two images are of Surya, the Sun God.

The temple has two doorways each with a porch, one facing south and the other facing east. The east facing door has on either side the remains of what must have been elegant lintel decoration, and an open hall type of pillared extension containing a large recumbent image of Nandi (bull) which faces the shrine.


Festivals


Shivaratri is celebrated as festival.


How to Reach Doddabasappa Temple


The nearest bus stop and railway station are in Gadag. The nearest airport is in Hubli.


Temple Address


Doddabasappa Temple,
Gadag, Dambal,
Karnataka - 582101

Significance

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-

  • Salvation
  • Wealth
  • Relief from diseases
  • Purchase of vehicles
  • Gain Knowledge
Shlokas

Kailaasarana Shiva Chandramouli Phaneendra Maathaa Mukutee Zalaalee Kaarunya Sindhu Bhava Dukha Haaree Thujaveena Shambho Maja Kona Taaree

Meaning -Oh Lord Shiva who is seated on Mount Kailash, where the moon decorates his forehead and the king of serpents crown his head, who is merciful and removes delusion, You alone can protect me. I surrender to thee.

Aum Trayambakam Yajaamahey Sugandhim Pusti Vardhanam Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaath Mrutyor Muksheeya Maamritaat

Meaning -We worship the fragrant Lord Shiva, who has 3 eyes and who cultivates all beings. May He free me from death, for immortality, as even a cucumber is separated from its bond with the vine.

Timings

The temple is open 07:00 to 12:00 in Morning and 16:00 to 19:30 in Evening.

Weather in Dambal
33°
Currently
Scattered Clouds
13°15°
Monday
13° 15°
Monday
13°15°
Monday
13°15°
Monday
13°15°
Monday
13°15°
Monday
13°15°
Monday