The Lakshmi devi temple at Doddagaddavalli, is yet another, among a few of the lesser known Hoysala temples, situated near Hassan (wiki page). This temple was built during the 12th century when the ruler of the land was Vishnuvardhana. The temple is situated ~16 Kms from Hassan, off the highway to Belur. Below is the map with directions from Hassan.
This temple is said to be one of the older Hoysala temples. One difference that is immediately noticeable from the famous temples at Belur and Halebid, is that this temple is not built on an elevated platform. The temple has four towers/shrines and hence is of a Chatushkoota construction. There are correspondingly four deities inside the temple. Of the four towers, 3 are undecorated, just following a pyramidal stack of layers with a kalasha at their top. The fourth pillar has ornate carvings and underneath this pillar, inside the temple, is the garbhagudi of the main deity of Lakshmi devi. Pooja is still done within this temple, during morning hours.
Entrance of Lakshmi devi temple at Doddagaddavalli
Doddagaddavalli temple premises
There is a pond situated behind the temple and the gate that stood between us and the path to the pond was locked. There seemed no other (easy) access to the pond from the road either. The view from the other side of this gate would have been a good one (sigh). We had to be contented with viewing the temple from within the premises, with ~7 feet stone walls on all four sides.
Towers of the Lakshmi devi temple at Doddagaddavalli
Relatively modern doors for the ancient temple
The temple is a protected monument of national importance under the archeological survey of India, and the temple is relatively well maintained. Being a not-so-popular place, there is no huge throngs of tourists here, and that is a good thing. The interested traveler can spend quality time at this jewel of a Hoysala temple.
The ornate tower at the Doddagavalli temple
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