Veeranarayana, a Vishnu Temple located in Gadag, Karnataka, is an amalgam of various schools of architecture—Chalukya, Hoysala, and Vijayanagara architecture. Garbhagriha and the top tower of the temple are models of Chalukya sculpture. Garudagamba and Rangamantapa are in the manner of Hoysala sculpture. The Mahadwara (main entrance) of the temple is of Vijayanagara art.
Veeranarayana Temple in Gadag city is a Hindu temple that was built around 1117 by the Hoysala Empire King Vishnuvardhana.
The temple’s pillared hall (sabha mandapa) is a stunning example of architecture, with each pillar beautifully carved to show scenes from mythology, floral designs, and heavenly figures.
It is believed that Kumaravyasa, the famous Kannada poet, wrote his epic “Karnataka Bharatha Katha Manjari”, a version of the Mahabharata while sitting beneath one of these ornate pillars.
The Garbhagudi (sanctum) holds the beautiful idol of Shri Veeranarayana, made from dark blue stone and glowing with a divine presence. The deity Veeranarayana is decorated with ornaments like a Kireeta, Karnakundala and the deity’s attire, a dhoti, is styled in veera kaccha (“warrior style”), making him look “ready for battle.”
He holds a Shankha, Chakra, Gadha and Padma in his hands. His pose, with the *Abhayahasta* (gesture of reassurance), represents protection and kindness toward his devotees.
*Goddess Lakshmi* is depicted on his chest, and carvings of the *Dashavatara* (ten incarnations of Vishnu) surround him. The presence of *Lakshmi* and *Garuda* on either side adds to his divine majesty.
According to the history Vishnuvardhana, originally known as Bitti Deva, was inspired by the saint Ramanujacharya after the saint cured a Hoysala princess of an illness. Bitti Deva then changed his name to Vishnuvardhana, left his original faith, Jainism, and became a Srivaishnava, a follower of a Vaishnava sect of Hinduism, and a devotee of Ramanujacharya. He built five temples dedicated to the god Vishnu: The Veeranarayana temple in Gadag, the Nambinarayana temple in Tondanur, the Chennakesava Temple in Belur, the Kirtinarayana temple in Talakad, and the Cheluvanarayana temple in Melkote.
According to legend, it was at a specific pillar in this temple’s hall that Kumara Vyasa completed his epic, inspired by Lord Veeranarayana. Gadagina Bharatha refers to the Kannada epic “Karnataka Bharata Kathamanjari,”. It is a retelling of the Mahabharata in Kannada and is named after Gadag, the place associated with Kumara Vyasa. The work is revered for its poetic brilliance and is also called “Kumara Vyasa Bharata” after its author.
An inscription from around 1539, during the reign of King Achyuta Deva Raya, records a gift (Anandanidhi) given by the king to the temple.
