On My Visit to Someswara Swamy Temple, Mulbagal (Kolar Dist. Karnataka)

Raja Gopura (Main Tower)

Dwajasthamba before main hall

Scenic surroundings on the way

In Mulabagal, located in Kolar Dist. You will find many old temples with historic significance such as Kurudumale Maha Ganapati Temple (12 kms from Mulbagal), Koti Lingeswara Temple (26kms from Mulbagal), Sri Virupaksheswara temple (3kms from Mulbagal), Sri Subrahmanya temple (2kms from here, located on a hill) and Sri Sripadaraja Mutt at Mulbagil.

Mukha Mandapa (Main Hall)

Sculptures of riders in main hall

Kalyana Mandapa

Main Hall

 Someswara Temple is in the heart of the town and we have go through narrow lanes flanked by small tiled houses. The huge main temple tower reminds the glory of Chola kings who ruled this place and constructed many temples here during eleventh

century. Later this temple was renovated by Vijayanagara kings in 14^th century. The beautiful pillars of Mukha Mantapa (main hall) and Vasantha Mantapa (marriage Hall) are quite fascinating. The marriage hall is decorated with sixty four pillars with carved figures of lions, elephants and deities. The main hall is supported with massive pillars on both sides with beautiful carvings of lotus buds and Yali figures. In the sanctum Lord Shiva installed by Koundinya Maharshi is seen.

Nandi Mandapa

Inner Sanctum

Parvati (Kshamadambal Shrine)

Ganapati idol

carvings on temple pillars

Idol of Subrahmanya in temple premises

Temple pond

 Just facing the sanctum there is a very big Nandi statue. In the inner chamber before the sanctum you will see another small Nandi statue. On the north-west corner of the sanctum is seen the shrine of Shiva’s consort, Parvati, called,Kshmadamba (One who forgives every one).We find two more Shiva Lingams with Nandi idols in front of them. Behind one of the Lingams one can see the carved figure of Sri Kalabhairava. Another shrine for Subrahmanya is seen.  On the southwestern corner of the temple one can see Vasantha Mantapa , with sixty four decorative pillars.  In the temple premises one sees many statues in damaged state.

 The temple tank looks very unclean and needs to be cleaned and those waters may be used for Abhishekam also. Many childless couples visit this temple to pray and do pradakshinams to get their wishes fulfilled. This temple is looked after by the department of the archaeological Survey of India. Just within a reach of few yards you can visit Kolaramma’s temple also.

                                             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

         14th May, 2018                                                                Somaseshu Gutala