Hoysala Expedition Part 12: Varadaraja Temple, Kondajji


Kondajji, a little village situated about 17 kms from Hassan, is home to a 14th century temple of Varadaraja Swamy, also called Allalanatha. Legend has it that this extraordinarily beautiful 11 feet tall image of Varadaraja, a form of Vishnu's Janardana aspect, was on its way to Belur, for it to be enshrined at the Channakeshava temple complex. But for some reason, it could not make it all the way, and was apparently running the risk of being deserted. An old lady (Ajji, which means grand mother in Kannada) decided to buy the statue and establish it in a temple at that place, and hence, it is believed that the village got the name "Kondajji" (Konda + Ajji).

Although the story stated above is linked to the times of Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana and Shantala, the fact that it is a statue of 14th century would mean that this might have occurred during the reign of Ballala the Third. The statue itself is mesmarizingly beautiful, and the temple, as expected, does not have any of the signature Hoysala architecture. The Varadaraja statue alone is the center of attraction here.


Varadaraja Temple, Kondajji from hmvprasanna on Vimeo.


Comments

Sridhar said…
Varadharaja is also called alenatha not allalanatha