The Hindu : Karnataka News : Interesting architecture Living Heritage

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Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Interesting architecture Living Heritage

These temple-like buildings were actually entrance gates

Galimantapas at the Chitradurga Fort.

Galimantapas (wind towers) are among the numerous interesting monuments located at the ancient Chitradurga Fort. Located at the central part of the fort, these artistically built monuments are believed to be unique for Karnataka. According to historian B. Rajashekharappa, these temple-like buildings were actually entrance gates to various ancient temples located on the hilltop of the fort. Looking at the structure, several people get confused thinking that they are temples , but in reality they are merely entrance gates, he said. Prof. Rajashekharappa said that the three-storey monuments were used to keep the deities for public viewing only during special occasions such as car festivals and religious processions. Some five galimantapas, also known as Kallupparage, were built by various rulers of different periods. Of them, two each belong to Hidimbeshwari temple and Sampigesiddeshwar temple, while one belong to Ekanatheshwari temple of the fort. The most ancient among them is Hidimbeshwari Galimantapa which was built in about 1100 AD by the then administrator of the temple Tippayya who lived during the Kalyan Chalukyas period.The Sampigesiddeshwar Galimantapa was the second one which was built by Somanna in around 1350 AD. The third one was construed in around 1355 AD by Mallinath Wodeya. While the fourth galimantapa was constructed by Veeramallana Wodeya, son of Devaraya Wodeya the first, who was the then emperor of Vijayanagar, in 1411 AD. The last monument was built by Bharmanna Nayak who ruled between 1689 and 1721. The entire structure built in granite stone has splendid carvings of images from animals to flowers.

Firoz Rozindar in Chitradurga

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