Before it became an important religious place for Vaishnavas, the place where the over five-century-old Kote Venkataramana Swamy temple stands today in Kalasipalya, housed a small shrine with a Basava (idol of a sacred bull).

This shrine was in a dilapidated condition and the Basava is believed to have been shifted to Mamulpet, and an idol of the main deity (Lord Venkataramana) installed there.

This and many other historical details about the temple, which is a heritage tourist destination, are not very well known.

In an attempt to document the history, patronage and the architectural style of the 17th century temple, historian and architect Yashaswini Sharma has prepared a detailed report, which will be released by Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, scion of the erstwhile royal family of Mysore, on November 19.

According to Ms. Sharma, very little has been written about the temple in history and architecture books. But, the temple is significant because it is the first example of Wadiyar-style architecture in the city.

“The temple has not been documented as a heritage structure; it should have been. This lack of documentation can hamper preservation and future restoration of a heritage structure,” she said, adding that the documentation will be a preliminary step in its conservation.

Ms. Sharma has taken up the documentation under the EA Samrakshaney project through her architectural firm ‘Esthetique Architects’ in association with the Archaeological Survey of India, the Muzrai Department and the temple trust.

“This is a community initiative. Under this, we have taken up projects such as Janata Bazaar darshana, and this is our third work for the community,” she said.

All aspects of the temple have been documented, including the plinth measurement, body, and the columns.

Along with the documentation, a replica of a Kottanur inscription of Kanteerava Narasaraja Wadiyar II, which credits his father, Chikkadeva Raja Wadiyar, with installing the deity, will be unveiled. “The stone replica will be placed on the temple premises,” she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / November 15th, 2018