1000-year-old Shiva temple craves for attention

SIRSI: The ruins of a 1000-year-old magnificent Shiva temple at Tenkal, a tiny village on the borders of Yellapur and Mundagod  taluks in Uttara-Kannada district craves for attention of the Archaeological Department.The monument is situated amidst dense forest. Historian Laxmish Hegde believes that the temple was built in Kalyani Chalukya style of architecture by Hangal Kadambas in the 11th century.The dilapidated temple has a ‘sabhamantap’ (auditorium), a ‘mukhamantap’, a ‘dhwaja sthambha (flag pillar), a ‘bali peetha’ (sacrifice seat), a lalaata bimba,   navaranga, faded scripts on stones and a sanctum sanctorum with idols of deities likes Karthikeya, Ganesha, Vishnu, Saptamatrikes and others.There is evidence of repair work undertaken at the ancient temple around 250-300 years ago.Stone inscriptions found earlier have clearly mentioned that Boppeshwar temple in Bedasagaon and Shiva temple in Inda Ooru, north of Mundagod were constructed by kings Kallayya and Tailapadev of Hangal Kadamba as mentioned by Gopalkrishna Naik in his book ‘Uttara-Kannada Darshan,’ recalled Hegde.Research scholar and HoD of the History Department at MM College, Sirsi, speaking to The New Indian Express, said that though feudatories on many occasions maintained their own architectural style, it is worth noting that Hangal Kadambas and Kalyani Chalukyas were neither feudatories nor contemporaries as per the records. Expressing almost similar views, historian Halemane pointed out that it was evident that many Shiva temples in the region were built by Hangal Kadambas.  The Shiva temple is in a completely dilapidated state and if the Archaeological Departments  of the state and Central governments take interest in preserving these remains, it will be a historical asset to the country and a resource   for the next generation,  both suggested. The temple is situated around 10 km from Umachagi in Yellapur taluk.