Restoring the temples of Hosagunda

Miscellany

Temples are one of the most significant monuments of Indian architecture. Countless numbers have been built as many temples have either been destroyed or completely forgotten. One such temple is found in Hosagunda forest in Sagar taluk of Shivamogga district. It was discovered in 2001 when CMN Shastry, managing trustee of Sri Umamaheshwara Seva Trust, bought a piece of land in Hosagunda. Various temples and deities were found in a dilapidated condition. Subsequently, a decision was taken to restore the structures.

To ensure the project’s success, Sri Umamaheshwara Seva Trust was formed. As a first step, surroundings of the Umamaheshwara Temple were cleaned and a banalingam (a smooth ellipsoid stone with religious significance) brought from the bank of River Narmada was installed at the vacant sanctum sanctorum, and daily worship was restored. Idols of seven more temples were unearthed and installed in makeshift temples until the restorations was complete. During the excavation, some stone inscriptions and ruins of temples dating back 900 AD were found. They are cleaned and kept safe. Some broken idols are being replaced.

Hosagunda was the capital of Hosgunda rulers in the 11th century. According to B L Rice in Epigraphica Karnataka, the rulers of Hosgunda belonged to Shanthara dynasty. Based on an inscription found, Bommarasa I ruled this area in 1152 AD. The last ruler of Hosgunda was Somanayaka in 1320 AD.

There is no evidence to show who built Umamaheshwara Temple. According to some historians, it was built in the 11th century. It is 21 metres in length and 19 metres in width and is built from green chlorite stone. It includes a garbha griha, a mantapa and a pradakshina (pathway around the shrine of the temples). It has three doors in east, north and south directions. Inside the temple, one can find the architectural marvels. The outer walls of the temple are decorated with intricate sculptures of human figures, gods and goddesses.

One of the major temples found near Umamaheshwara Temple is Kanchi Kalamma Temple. It is believed that this temple is built in 1320 AD by the Hoysala king Veeraballala Devarasa. It is being restored and rebuilt incorporating the architectural style of Kerala temples. It is also believed that Hosgunda was destroyed in 1400 AD and a dense forest came in its place.

This place was unknown to the world for nearly 600 years. To attract the interest of the government, the Shimoga Malnad Research Academy organised a seminar here in 1995. However, the renovation work was started only in 2001. The dismantled stones were used for restoration by re-joining them part by part, and the original structure makes this restoration the first-of-its-kind in the world. As a part of the restoration work, a new 45 feet single stone structure of dhwajasthambha has been installed in the forecourt of the temple.

One of the constructions undertaken here is that of a beautiful pushkarini. The natural water in pushkarini is considered as holy. To keep the environment clean and to preserve the natural flora and fauna around Umamaheshwara Temple, 600 acres of forest has been preserved. Now, it has been officially declared as Devara Kadu by the Government of Karnataka.

The trust plans to have dedicated areas for organic farming and for a pyramid meditation centre among others in Hosagunda in the future. Hosagunda is not just a place of worship, but an abode of peace for nature lovers. The place is 330 km from Bengaluru.