International Journal of Architectural Heritage
Ramalingeshwara Temple, Kolar, Bengaluru: A Case Study of Dravidian Architecture
1-2 Student, Department of Architecture, RV College of Architecture, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
3. Sr. Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, RV College of Architecture, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
4. Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, RV College of Architecture, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
5. Professor, Department of Architecture, RV College of Architecture, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Abstract
Dravidian architecture has been widely spread in southern India, and most of them originate from the chola dynasty. Most of the Dravidian architecture has its significant qualities and features in terms of planning, construction technique, carvings, and sculptures. The present study highlights some of these elements in Dravidian temples of India along with more insights towards the Ramalingeshwara temple, Avani, Kolar. Many famous temples in southern India of Dravidian architecture have been documented to preserve the cultural and spiritual legacy, but still there are many temples that, despite their significant features, and associated famous mythological stories are still undocumented. Ramalingeshwara Temple in Avani, Kolar district of Bengaluru, is one such temple, which is also called the Gaya of the South and is famous due to the place known for Valmiki Ashram. Also, it is said that to pacify the rites that originated due to Luv Kush unknowingly capturing the horse, Ram, Bharat, and Shatrughan worshipped Bhagwan Shankar by making various lingas. The temple thus carries some of the well-known stories of the Hindu epic Ramayana. The aim of the paper is to showcase the significant features of this temple that originate the need for its preservation.
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