Nuggenhalli was coined from the words of ‘Palegaras’ or ‘ war lord chieftains’ reigning the lands of present Karnataka. They reached their zenith during the 14-15th century under the protection of Vijayanagar Empire. ‘ Nuggu’ was the war cry of the Palegaras meaning ‘enter’! Today the only remains of the fort here is just a gateway of the Lord Ganesha temple.
Nuggenhalli is a small village 18 Kms near Channarayapatna in Hassan Dist. Reaching here would be just off the Bengaluru – Mangaluru toll paying highway. One could reach this place from Bangalore in three hours covering a distance of 145 kms. Local transportation out here are local buses, taxis and rickety overcrowded autos and vans. Better to be independently mobile. Having your own vehicle is a definite advantage. Carry cash and a picnic basket around, eateries are local hole in the wall establishments serving South Indian snacks. The Nearest City of comfort is Hassan a mid-way destination on this highway. This geographical arena is a temple touring district. Beyond Sakeshpur and Chickmagalur are plantation destinations, forest retreats and coastal towns of Mangalore, Udupi, Gokarna, Karwar and Goa.
Nuggenhalli is an ancient place where the Cholas are said to have built the ‘Jayagondeshwara’ temple with the grants of Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana in 1121 AD. This is attributed to stone inscriptions found here. The temple records also says that during the reign of Vijayanagar King Someshvara, the Hoysala King the then commander of the war forces, Bommana Danda Nayaka also known as Ramachandra Veerendra in reverance to his Guru’s dream constructed a temple at this spot and made Nuggenhalli an ‘agrahara’ – an area of Vedic learning and residences for the pious Brahmin community. Nuggenhalli was known christened as ‘ Vijaya Somanathpura’ in 1246. During the Vijayanagar Empire period additional structures were added. The main sculptors, Baichoja and Mallithamma worked on this beautiful edifice – their names are seen engraved on major master piece sculptures all over the place. This Temple is a ‘trikoota’ shrine meaning three shrine temple connected in a vestibule format on a raised platform. The principal three deities here are – Venugopala, Keshava and Lakshminarasimha, all Lord Vishnu. Other Hindu Gods are given their respective place in the temple sculptures.
Some of the locals are unaware of this temple as Belur and Halebidu outshines this beautiful edifice. Nuggenhalli is a day trip destination or one can add this masterpiece, less visited destination among your other places when you visit this region. At this destination, I would like to thank Dr.Balaji, my school mate for contributing some of the photos of the deitys’ and interior temple ceiling photos. I visited the temple one hot sunny afternoon, when it was closed. Dr. Balaji has been my source for lot of temple tours. A terrific human being and a great doctor where humanity comes before his medical bills. He runs a professional hospital called Ananya at Rajajinagar, one can reach him out for any medical help. His Knowledge of music and spiritual places is amazing. The least I can do is acknowledge this mentor and educator in what i pursue currently – my quest on temples of India.
Nuggenhalli also has 24 avatars of Lord Vishnu, we are aware of only 10, but scriptures point 24. One is blessed to see all these at this beautiful edifice. The credit here goes to the sculptures and their knowledge of the scriptures. There are 120 epic tales inscribed in the sculptures at Nuggenhalli. Hindu epic tales, war animals, flora fauna form the stone wall inscriptions of this temple. The stone used is simple slate stone, which gives you ivory finish sculpture.
Rushbha rishi is believed to have done his penance and Lord Vishnu in the form of Lakshminarasimha seems to have appeared to him and blessed him according to the legends. This place is considered holy and pious among the Vaishnava Hindus.
A journey in time can be visited at this beautiful huge walled protected, less visited temple. This place is a hidden gem, less visited by the tourists or the pilgrims. An artists retreat and a photographers delight awaits you here. Historians and Architects would be enamoured by this edifice.
-Jagdeesh Laxman Singh
aka Jugie Singh
Text & Photography
Nuggenhalli Temple of Lakshmi Narasimha – 1246 AD; 120 Epic Tales on Stone !
