Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple

Location and Historical Context

Dodda Gaddavalli is a small village in the Hassan Taluk of the Hassan District, located in present-day Karnataka (formerly Mysore State). It lies about 12 miles northwest of Hassan town and around 2 miles off the Hassan–Belur road. The prefix Dodda (meaning Big) distinguishes it from a nearby village called Chikka Gaddavalli (meaning Little Gaddavalli).

An inscription in the Bölur temple dated 1548 mentions Chikka Gaddavalli during the reign of Vijayanagara king Sadasiva Raya, stating that a chief named Singapa Nayaka donated the village for the car festival of the deity Keshava at Bölur.

Old inscriptions at Dodda Gaddavalli refer to it as Gaddumballi, and call it Abhinava Kollapura (New Kollapura), drawing a connection to the famous temple of Goddess Lakshmi at Kolhapur due to the presence of a similar shrine here.

Architectural Significance

Unique Features

The Lakshmidevi Temple at Dodda Gaddavalli is a rare and early example of Hoysala architecture. It is unique in being chatushkuta—a quadruple-shrined structure, the only known one of its kind from the Hoysala period.

According to an inscription dated 1113 CE found within the temple, the temple was commissioned by a wealthy merchant named Kullahana Rahuta and his wife Sahajadevi during the reign of Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana. This predates the renowned Kesava Temple at Belur by four years.

Layout and Enclosure

Temple Compound

• The temple stands in the center of a stone-walled courtyard measuring approximately 118 feet 6 inches by 112 feet 9 inches.

• The wall is around 7 feet high, with mahadvaras (grand entrances) on the east and west sides.

• Unlike most Hoysala temples, this one lacks a raised terrace platform.

Entrance Porches

• The western mahadvara features a large porch supported by 16 pillars with 7 elaborately carved ceilings:

  • The central ceiling features Tandaveshvara in a circular medallion with fine beadwork.

  • Others depict floral patterns and figures of the ashta-dikpalakas (eight directional deities).

• The porch is flanked by verandas on all sides.

• A small eastern porch once existed but has since collapsed.

Shrines and Towers

Corner Shrines

At each corner of the compound is a small shrine with:

• A stone tower (shikhara)

• The Hoysala crest showing Sala (the Hoysala founder) slaying a tiger

• Noteworthy carvings:

  • The southwest shrine has floral carvings.

  • The northwest shrine features Tandaveshvara.

Bhairava Shrine

• Located near the northeast corner, apart from the main structure.

• Composed of a garbha-griha and sukhanasi, also with a tower and crest.

• Dedicated to Bhairava.

Total Towers

• Nine stone towers in total:

  • Four over the main temple’s cells

  • Four at the corners

  • One over the Bhairava shrine

• This nine-tower layout is unique among Hoysala monuments.

Main Temple Structure

Orientation and Deities

The main temple has four shrines (cells) arranged in a cross-like plan:

• Southern Group:

  • East Cell: Goddess Lakshmidevi (main deity)

  • West Cell: A Shiva linga named Bhatanatha

  • South Cell: Currently has Bhairava but was likely dedicated to Vishnu, based on the Garuda emblem.

• Northern Cell:

  • Dedicated to Kali

Structural Details

• All four shrines are topped with Hoysala-style shikharas and crests.

• Each cell includes:

  • Garbha-griha (sanctum)

  • Sukhanasi (vestibule); Lakshmidevi’s sukhanasi is enclosed while others are open

• The three southern shrines share a common navaranga (central hall).

Noteworthy Sculptures and Carvings

Lintels

• Lakshmidevi shrine: Lintel features Tandaveshvara

• Vishnu shrine: Lintel features Yoga Narasimha

• Bhatanatha shrine: Lintel features Gajalakshmi

Lakshmidevi Idol (Plate XI)

• A 3.5-foot-tall standing idol with:

  • Four arms:

    • Upper right: conch

    • Upper left: discus

    • Lower right: rosary in abhaya mudra

    • Lower left: mace

  • Flanked by two female attendants

Kali Shrine

• Navaranga has entrances on both east and west sides

• West entrance has Vaishnava dvarapalakas

• East entrance is flanked by seated elephants

• Outer walls feature pilasters, turrets, and some figure carvings

• East wall of the Kali cell has a figure of Kali

• Decorative turrets on Lakshmidevi and Vishnu cells are particularly well-crafted

Navaranga Halls

• Common hall of the three southern shrines is spacious with:

  • Three verandas

  • Nine intricately carved ceilings with circular medallions

  • Central medallion may depict Tandaveshvara; others show the ashta-dikpalakas

• It seamlessly connects to the Kali shrine’s navaranga

• Each navaranga is about 30 feet long and 15 feet wide

• Supported by ten pillars (excluding veranda supports)

Summary

The Lakshmidevi Temple at Dodda Gaddavalli stands as one of the oldest and most unique examples of Hoysala temple architecture. Built in 1113 CE, it showcases:

• A rare four-shrine layout

• Nine ornate towers with the Hoysala crest

• Rich sculptural work featuring deities like Lakshmi, Kali, and Narasimha

• Thoughtful design that integrates both Shaiva and Vaishnava elements within a single compound

Its blend of architectural innovation and devotional richness makes it a remarkable heritage site from the Hoysala era.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi