JOIN USKoramangala (Koravangala as the locals call it), a quiet village just 12 km from Hassan, was a flourishing agrahara in the 12th century. Three brothers, who served the Hoysala King Narasimha I, Govinda, Naka and Buchi, built temples in the agrahara within a span of 15 years! The ones built by the older brothers are in ruins today and are accessible only if you are brave enough to counter reptiles and insects. The third and the largest one, which was built by Buchi on the shores of Mukasamudra Lake, stands tall and is a beautiful monument showcasing the characteristics of Hoysala architecture.
It was built in 1173 AD and coincided with the coronation of King Vira Ballala II. The temple was originally built over a large platform. The location is perfect to catch the breeze cooled by the waters of the lake. The whistle of the swaying coconut trees adds to the experience.
Interestingly, the temple is a dwikuta with two shrines facing each other. The two shrines are connected by a succession of open and closed halls that present a play of light and shadow. The western shrine facing the east houses a huge linga made of black stone and the deity is called Bucheshwara. The sanctum is connected to the closed hall through a vestibule and there is complete darkness except for the light of the lamp.
The tower of the shrine is tastefully decorated and topped with a delicate kalasa (water pot). There is also a sculpture of Sala slaying a lion (the Hoysala motif).
This is one of those rare Hoysala temples with a text-book version of the Hoysala tower. The outer walls have imaginative carvings that have been destroyed over time. There is an interesting series of sculptures depicting the trials of Prince Prahlada, who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, culminating in the life-like sculpture of Vishnu as Narasimha slaying King Hiranyakashipu.
The eastern shrine facing west has a beautiful idol of God Surya and the vestibule is directly connected to an open hall thereby filling the sanctum with sunlight. There is no tower atop this sanctum and it is not clear if there was one. There are two lateral entrances to the open hall that serve as the entrances to the temple itself. Both closed and open halls are decorated modestly. The open hall has fine ceilings and polished glossy pillars. There is also a separate shrine without a tower dedicated to Bhairava at the eastern end, facing south. Again, the idol is well carved in black stone.
The architecture and its scenic setting make the Bucheshwara Temple a good destination for a day trip from Bengaluru. Do take a detour from the well-trodden Hoysala temple circuit to explore this classic temple.
There are other interesting Hoysala temples nearby — Laskhmi Temple in Doddagadduvalli, Veeranarayana Temple in Belavadi, Keshava and Someshwara temples in Haranhalli, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Javagal and Ishwara Temple in Arsikere apart from the world famous temples of Belur and Halebidu.