Gopura

Architecture & Planning

The entrance to the Someshwara Temple is dominated by the imposing tower of the gopura, standing at a staggering height of 22m. This entrance gateway, measuring 12 m by 9 m at the base, has a lower half of stone and an upper half constructed with brick and stone, adorned with figures carved in stucco. This upper portion comprises five storeys of diminishing floors and topped by a shala or barrel-vaulted roof and with gilded kalasha finials. The intermediate levels are of madras terraces, constructed using up to 6 layers of brick. The overall scheme is typical of Vijayanagara period gopuras which were themselves derived from Chola prototypes of the 11th and 12th centuries. Symbolically, the gopura is important as it marks the devotee’s entry into the sacred realm from the non-sacred outside world.

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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.