Betteshwara Temple, Agraharabelguli, Hassan District.
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Agraharabelguli is an enchanting hamlet situated about 25 kms from
Channarayapattana in Hassan district. It houses the magnificent temple
of Keshaveshwara, which is popularly known as Betteshwara. An
inscription near the main entrance of this Hoysala structure, which was
consecrated in 1209 AD, serves as a useful record for obtaining many
important details about the temple. It makes a mention of Kesiraja, a
commander under the Hoysala Emperor Ballala II, who is believed to have
constructed the temple. There is also a reference to an agrahara called
Keshavapura, which was built, at the same spot. The inscription also
makes a mention of two tanks called Kesavasamudra and Lakshmisamudra,
which were excavated here.
The majestic temple has a stallite plan facing the east. Though the
temple has plain exteriors, the interiors are highly decorative, with
the makara thoranas of the garbhagriha and sukhanasi being highly
ornamental. The navaranga, like in any other Hoysala temple, has nine
different bhuvaneshvari with floral decorations and intricate carvings.
The ashtadikpalakas in the central bhuvaneshvari is noteworthy for its
fine details. There are four lathe-turned pillars of the typical
Hoysala style, which are much taller when compared to other pillars.
Elegant sculptures of Saraswati, Bhairava, Ganapati and Sapatamatrikas
adorn this temple, where the linga is placed in the main sanctorum.
The main attraction of the temple is, however, the magnificent five and
half foot tall Keshava image installed in the northern garbhagriha.
Standing on a two-and-a-half foot high pedestal, it is one of the best
representations of Keshava in Hoysala style, with a restrained look on
the face and the four hands adorned with shankha, chakra, gadaa and
padma.
The highly ornamental prabhavali depicts the ten manifestations of
Vishnu, with the representations of Matsya and Kurma shown as fish and
tortoise, respectively. Buddha is represented here as the ninth
manifestation of Lord Vishnu. There are two porches in the temple, one
facing east and the other facing south. The eastern porch is a spacious
one with has an entrance leading to the south. There is a Nandimantapa
attached to the porch, with a four feet tall bull.
Another notable feature of the temple is the existence of a
two-storeyed mahadwara of the Hoysala period. This temple is a complete
Hoysala structure, but for the mortar shikhara added in the later days.
It is quite unfortunate that this masterpiece of Hoysala art is now in
a pitiable condition. The maintenance of the temple is very poor and
the outer walls are almost on the verge of a collapse. Many other
temples in the village like the Someshvara temple are also in a
dilapidated condition due to the negligence of the authorities.