Triyambakeshwara beckons
It is situated at Triyambakapura, a village in Gundlupet taluk located at a deviation of 2 km on the Gundlupet-Terakanambi road. The temple enjoyed many grants of the Vijayanagar empire and later times, as codified by nearly 15 inscriptions. But the earliest copper plate of Harihara II, son of Devaraya I, is interesting. It indicates land grants made to Lord Triyambakeshwara. There is a grant by Govindaraja, Krishnadevaraya's Viceroy at Terakanambi. Earlier, the temple was in ruins. Now, with the efforts of revenue officials of Gundlupet taluk, the temple has regained its old beauty. The devotees too extended their helping hand in the renovation. The State Heritage and Archaeology Department have released Rs.1.96 crore for restructuring the entire temple. The renovation work is in progress.
The huge temple consists of a garbha griha and ardhamantapa with walls ornamented with pilasters and niches. In front of the ardhamantapa is a large navaranga having thick Vijayanagara pillars. One devakoshta of the navaranga has an image of Kartikeya. Near the north wall of the navaranga is an image of a seated Anjaneya reading a book and another of Rama and Sita hearing it. There is a Parvathi shrine where alone pooja is performed. The spacious mukhamantapa has fine Vijayanagar pillars. The structure has a vast prakara with mahadwaras to the east and south having gopuras. Opposite the east mahadwara is a lofty monolithic pillar (deepastambha) more than 15 metres tall which is held in position by a small mantapa constructed around it. The south-west corner of the prakara has a large cool kalyanamantapa supported by tall, massive pillars. The mantapa has three longish ankhanas running horizontally and to the west end of which is a stage with steps from the sides leading to it. This was used for marriage and other functions during the Vijayanagar times. There are fine relief sculptures on the pillars of the kalyana mantapa. There is also a small shrine of Chandikeshwara.
The State Tourism Department has to take steps to give more publicity and provide basic infrastructure and facilities to the tourists. There is a KSRTC bus service from Gundlupet to reach the place. The jatra is held during the festival of Shivarathri.
The huge temple consists of a garbha griha and ardhamantapa with walls ornamented with pilasters and niches. In front of the ardhamantapa is a large navaranga having thick Vijayanagara pillars. One devakoshta of the navaranga has an image of Kartikeya. Near the north wall of the navaranga is an image of a seated Anjaneya reading a book and another of Rama and Sita hearing it. There is a Parvathi shrine where alone pooja is performed. The spacious mukhamantapa has fine Vijayanagar pillars. The structure has a vast prakara with mahadwaras to the east and south having gopuras. Opposite the east mahadwara is a lofty monolithic pillar (deepastambha) more than 15 metres tall which is held in position by a small mantapa constructed around it. The south-west corner of the prakara has a large cool kalyanamantapa supported by tall, massive pillars. The mantapa has three longish ankhanas running horizontally and to the west end of which is a stage with steps from the sides leading to it. This was used for marriage and other functions during the Vijayanagar times. There are fine relief sculptures on the pillars of the kalyana mantapa. There is also a small shrine of Chandikeshwara.
The State Tourism Department has to take steps to give more publicity and provide basic infrastructure and facilities to the tourists. There is a KSRTC bus service from Gundlupet to reach the place. The jatra is held during the festival of Shivarathri.
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