Kamala Narayana Temple: Degaon’s Ode to Lord Narayana

Located at Degaon in the Belgaum district of Karnataka, the Kamala Narayana Temple is a remnant of the Kadamaba dynasty and stands honored as an impeccable example of the grandeur and opulence that temple architecture exudes.

The Kamala Narayana Temple is the pride of Belagavi; Image Source: Travelogue Unlimited

The beautiful Degaon village of Belagavi — which derives its name from Devagrama, a famous temple complex nestled in the region — is home to the magnificent Kamala Narayana Temple. The temple was commissioned in 1174 AD by Queen Kamala Devi, the wife of King Sivachitta of the Kadamaba dynasty, as a dedication to Lord Narayana

A tale from the Kadamaba dynasty

The Kamala Narayana Temple is built in a rectangular layout with three shrines positioned within the premises. In the first shrine, a statue of Narayana can be witnessed in its full glory. The second shrine houses a statue of Lakshmi-Narayana in which Goddess Lakshmi is seated on his lap. In the third and last shrine, a statue of Queen Kamala Devi has been placed, which is surrounded by her attendants on either side.

## Breathtaking Details

A hall, known as the Sukanasi, surrounds the three shrines and encompasses doorways adorned with intricate designs of creepers along with ornamental windows. Besides the walls of the temple complex, the pillars and the roofs also depict the opulence of the architecture.

The ceiling is exquisitely carved with gigantic inverted lotus patterns. The pillars are richly decorated with figurines of roaring lions located between pyramidal towers and adorned with stunning scrollwork on the top. Another feature that contributes to the uniqueness is the presence of a bench or a Kakshasana amidst the low relief walls of the mukhamantapa, the pillared entrance of the Kamala Narayana Temple.

The temple is majorly based on features inspired by the Kadamba style of architecture, which is known for its uniquely tiered and tapered superstructure. Owing to its intriguing design aspects, this architecture impressed the Hoysalas, who went on to curate more such compelling structures and monuments.

Dedication to Lord Narayana

Acclaimed as one of the finest surviving temples belonging to the Kadamaba dynasty, the Kamala Narayana Temple emanates the beauty of Indian temple architecture with its unique features. Even today, inscriptions and emblems from the glorious Kadamaba rule can be observed by visitors while taking a stroll around the temple and soaking in its historicity.

Inscriptions that bear stories from the Kadamaba dynasty; Image Source: Wikipedia

The pillared hall of the temple; Image Source: Google

The statue of deity encompassed in the temple; Image Source: Team G Square