Gaurishvara Temple – Yelandur

About

It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses a Shivalingam, revered and worshipped by hordes of pilgrims visiting the temple. The majestic temple was built under the patronage of a local chief Singedepa Devabhupala of the Hadinadu chiefdom. He was a vassal of the Vijayanagar Empire in the 16th century.

Architecture of Gaurishvara temple

It is an illustration of the architectural opulence of the ancient period and simple in its portrayal. The sanctum sanctorum or Garbha Griha of the temple houses a Shivalingam. The temple has a closed hall known as mantapa and an open hall sustained by granite pillars. The entrance door, devoid of gopuram, welcomes the pilgrims to the temple. Contemporary in style, it is known as bale mantapa. Besides, the Shivalingam, the closed hall houses idols of other deities such as, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Parvati, Mahishasuramardini, Shanmukha, Bhairava, another form of Shiva, Goddess Durga and Virabhadra. The entrance walls of the temple have been exquisitely adorned with images from Puranas and epics that provide a spectacular visual effect to the spectators.