Temple Layout

Architecture & Planning

The Someshwara Temple stands within a large site that is accessed by a monumental gopura or temple gateway. The temple is placed along the central axis of the site. As you enter through the gopura, a few paces ahead are the bali peetha (sacrificial platform), deepa stambha (lamp pillar) and Nandi mandapa (Nandi pavilion). Beyond this, one steps into a spacious mandapa - a pillared hall that is open on three sides. On each side, a staircase flanked by yali balustrades leads us into the hall. A central doorway in the western end of the hall opens up into a pradakshina patha or circumambulatory path. The pradakshina wraps around the core spaces of the temple that comprise the navranga mandapa, the antarala (vestibule) and beyond that, the garbagriha (inner sanctum sanctorum) with its single celled shrine. The entire layout of the temple is based on the idea of progressively enhancing the sacredness of space. As you step through the gopura, you leave behind the mundane or merely material world. Each successive threshold or hallway then leads you into a more sanctified space until you reach the inner most sanctum, the most sacred space in the temple.

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Historical & Urban Setting show all

Historical Background of Ulsoor.

Halasuru, or Ulsoor, is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Bengaluru

Temple Precinct

The Someshwara temple complex stands amidst a dense network of narrow streets..

Architecture & Planning show all

Temple Layout

The Someshwara Temple stands within a large site that is accessed by a monumental..

Architectural Style and Evolution

Take a walk around the temple and you will find that it bears several different..

Gopura

The entrance to the Someshwara Temple is dominated by the imposing tower..

Mandapa

The mandapa or pillared hall of the temple dates back to the 1500s or 1600s and exhibits..

Pillar typologies

The mandapa is replete with rich carvings and decorations, especially visible..

Adhistana

The adhisthana refers to the plinth or base of a temple, upon which the pada(walls) and other elements of the superstructure rest.

Vimana

According to Dr. SK Aruni of the Indian Council of Historical Research

Other Features show all

Kamakshi Amman Shrine

The Kamakshi Amman shrine lies to the north of the main shrine..

Kalyani

Traditionally, South Indian temples have a kalyani – a stepped tank..

Sacred Trees

The Someshwara Temple complex has a variety of sacred trees..

Materials & Construction show all

Materials

A wide range of materials like stone, brick and wood have gone into..

Wall Construction

The temple walls have been constructed using dressed stone masonry..

Post-and-Lintel Construction

Post-and-lintel is one of the oldest construction systems in the world..

Roofing Systems

A wide range of materials like stone, brick and wood have gone into the construction

Madras terrace

Madras terrace is an innovative method of construction widely used for roofing across South India.

Drawings & Documentation show all

Documenting the Someshwara Temple Complex

A multi-mode approach had been undertaken to document the temple at various levels from developing a site

Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry is a process by which large number of still photographs of an object or environment

Architectural Drawings

A set of architectural plans, sections and elevations were prepared from the fieldwork.

Architectural Details

Various pillar types, reflected ceiling patterns, plinth details and other elements were recorded to result

Further Reading

Meister, Michael W. and Dhaky, Madhusudan A. 1986. Encyclopedia of Indian Temple Architecture: South India.