Context
∙ Two Badami Chalukya temples and a label inscription were discovered in Mudimanikyam village, Telangana.
About
∙ The two temples date back to between 543 AD and 750 AD.
∙ In one temple, a Panavattam (base of a Shiva lingam) without the Shiva Linga, has been found. The other temple contains a Vishnu idol lying inside.
∙ The label inscription, dating back to the 8th or 9th Century AD reads as ‘Gandaloranru’ (Ganda in Kannada means hero), and is inscribed on a pillar of a group of five temples, known as Panchakuta, in the village.
∙ Another inscription dating to 1673 AD, is present on two sides of the pillar in the Rama temple of Mudimanikyam.
∙ The discovery shows that the village of Mudimanikyam on the banks of river Krishna was part of the kingdom ruled by Badami Chalukyas.
Temple Architecture
∙ The temples showcase unique architectural styles, blending Badami Chalukyan and Kadamba Nagara influences.
∙ The monuments also integrate features of Rekha nagara architecture, characterized by a typical northern Indian shikhara with a slightly curved tower having four sides of equal length.
| Chalukya dynasty– The Chalukya dynasty was a Hindu dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries.– During this period, they ruled as three related yet individual dynasties. The earliest dynasty, known as the “Badami Chalukyas”, ruled from Vatapi (modern Badami) from the middle of the 6th century. – The Badami Chalukyas began to assert their independence at the decline of the Kadamba kingdom of Banavasi and rapidly rose to prominence during the reign of Pulakeshin II, also known as Immadi Pulakeshi.– After the death of Pulakeshin II, the Eastern Chalukyas became an independent kingdom in the eastern Deccan. They ruled from Vengi until about the 11th century.– The rise of the Rashtrakutas in the middle of the 8th century eclipsed the Chalukyas of Badami. Later they were revived by their descendants, the Western Chalukyas, in the late 10th century. A. They ruled from Kalyani (modern Basavakalyan) until the end of the 12th century.Architecture of Badami Chalukya– The Chalukya style of architecture is called “Chalukyan architecture” or “Karnata Dravida architecture”.– Temple building activity of Chalukyas were concentrated within Aihole, Badami, Pattadakal and Mahakuta in modern Karnataka state.– The building material used was locally found reddish-golden Sandstone.– The temple building activity of Badami Chalukya can be categorized into three phases:A. The first phase includes cave temples like temples at Aihole and Badami. B. The second phase includes the Lad Khan Temple, the Meguti Jain Temple etc.C. The third phase of the mature phase includes the Sangamesvara Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Papanatha temple etc. |
