Bhootnath Temple Complex: Home to the 'God of Spirits'

Lepakshi, a renowned village, is renowned for its three sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and Lord Veerabhadra. The Veerabhadra Temple, a stunning creation in the Vijayanagar architectural style, was skillfully constructed by two brothers, Viranna and Virupanna. The temple's walls are adorned with exquisite sculptures, showcasing the finest craftsmanship. Notably, an enormous Nandi bull, skillfully carved from a single granite stone, stands as a testament to the artisans' mastery. Lepakshi proudly preserves numerous murals from the Vijayanagar Era, a visual treat for history enthusiasts. Among the village's remarkable sculptures, the famous Nagalinga, a depiction of a snake, stands out as a unique and awe-inspiring sight.

Bhootnath Temple Complex, Badami I Source: Nativeplanet.com

Bhootnath Temple Complex: Home to the 'God of Spirits'

You might have seen the worship of Shiva in various forms like 'Bholenath', 'Natraj', 'Mahakaal', etc., but here you will witness the worship of Shiva as the God of souls, spirits, and ghosts. Yes! You read it right - the 'God of Spirits.'

Positioned on the bank of Lake Agastya, an eye-catching sight of temples awaits you. This complex is known as the Bhutnatha group of temples, consisting of two shrines - the main one named Bhutanatha temple and the other called Mallikarjuna temple. Both are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The complex is surrounded by water on three sides and is located in the town of Badami, Bagalkot, Karnataka. At a distance of 1.5 km from the Badami bus stand, this famous temple site can be found, each with its own historical significance.

The architectural features and forms of these temples reveal the contributions of various dynasties. Interestingly, they share the use of local sandstone as the building material. These temples offer insights into the culture, beliefs, and glory of ancient times.

Situated at the eastern bank of Lake Agastya, the main shrine - the Bhootnath Temple - worships Lord Shiva in his Bhootnath form (God of souls). Inside the hall, an image of 'an angry Shiva' is present. This architectural masterpiece dates back to the early eighth century during the reign of the 'Chalukyas of Vatapi', who made Vatapi, now known as Badami, their capital.

The sandstone construction gives the temple a powerful and robust appearance. Here, you can witness an amalgamation of the North-Indian Nagara and South-Indian Dravidian styles of temple architecture. It appears that this temple was built in two phases. The inner hall reflects the style of the Eastern Badami Chalukyas, featuring massive pillars adorned with lotus designs. The mandapa seems to have been added later by the Kalyani Chalukyas.

The walls of the temple are adorned with mythological stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata, adding to its beauty. The doorframe of the inner sanctum depicts the river Goddess Ganga riding on a crocodile-like creature called the Makara, while Yamuna rides on a tortoise, dutifully guarding the deity.

Sunlight enters through perforated windows, illuminating the inner hall and creating an atmosphere as if the sun's rays are seeking the deity's blessings. For a brief period, the temple came under the influence of Jains, but it was later taken over by the Lingayats, who installed a Nandi in front of the sanctum. The original Shiva Lingam was removed and replaced, though the reason for this remains unknown.

The second significant structure of this complex is the Mallikarjuna temple. Just behind the Bhutanatha temple, this shrine is also dedicated to Lord Shiva. It lies on the northeastern side of Agastya Lake and was constructed under the patronage of the Kalyani Chalukyas, evident from its architectural details. This temple dates back to the 11th century.

Built in the Phamsana style, the temple features pyramidal Shikaras with horizontal tiers, open mandapas, plain walls, and pillars without ornamentation and carvings - characteristic of the Kalyani Chalukyas. However, one can still observe features from other dynasties, such as the tower of the inner sanctum built in the typical Rashtrakuta style. This temple is not a single shrine but a cluster of small shrines.

Moving south, there is a boulder with an amazing carving on it. Bas-relief carvings of various Gods and Goddesses, such as Narsimha, Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva), Mahishasurmardini form of Goddess, and Ganesha, can be found. This boulder is a hidden gem. Further south, towards the lake, you'll find a small stone structure with a beautifully carved Vishnu in a sleeping posture.

For those seeking leisure time away from the hustle-bustle of life, visiting these architectural masterpieces and seeking blessings, the temples are open from eight in the morning to six in the evening, with absolutely no entry fee.