The Abode to a Myriad Deities

Niharika Lakhmani

The Abode to a Myriad Deities

A divine celebration of the belief of a multitude of devotees of the Hindu god Shiva, the Trikuteshwara Temple is located in Gadag in the northern part of Karnataka. The place is known for the many shrines it houses from across history. However, why does this particular one stand out?

The Trikuteshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva; Image Source: Trip Advisor

An emblem of the Chalukyan glory

The Trikuteshwara Temple dates back to the rule of the Western Chalukyan Empire and owes its striking design to the famous architect Amara Shilpi Jakanachari. Within the temple premises are elements that depict the glory of the Badami Chalukyas, who were known as the early exponents of architectural achievements in the Deccan and have left behind structures whose magnificence and mystique continue to intrigue visitors and devotees.

Adjacent to the main temple is another shrine that nestles the statues of the three deities: Saraswati, Sharada, and Gayatri. The ancient architecture of the temple combined with the beautiful, newly put-together statues make up for an appealing sight to behold.

## Intricacy at its best

The Trikuteshwara Temple flaunts beautifully carved walls and pillars. Intricately sculpted figures adorn the wall panels that are made more beautiful with the stonework screens. Serving as balcony seats, the inclined slabs of the temple are enhanced with figurative panels and are overhung using eaves that are placed at steep angles.

Within some parts of the temple, pujas or rituals are not performed at present, owing to the broken statues of the deities. Nonetheless, the architecture itself makes the temple a must-visit if one wants to delve into its history.

## An abode to a myriad deities

The temple’s main shrine, the three Shiva lingas, is emblematic of the Trimurti or the Trinity: Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu. There is another shrine, dedicated to the Hindu goddess of knowledge and arts, Saraswati. However, due to unfortunate incidents of vandalism in the past years, the shrine is in a decrepit condition.