Gaurishwara Temple is in
Yelandur, 61 km from
Mysore. Built in Vijayanagar style of architecture in 1550 by Singadepa, the first known prince of the Hadinadu Dynasty, it consists of a
garbhagriha, an ardhamandapa and a large frontal mandapa. The garbhagriha and ardhamandapa are sanctified with the
shivling, idols of
Vishnu,
Parvati,
Mahishasuramardini,
Bhairava,
Durga, and
Ganapati. The majestic mahadwara or gateway of 1654, the main attraction of the temple, is a rare specimen of the Hoysala style of architecture. This rectangular shaped gateway is popularly known as ‘Balemantapa’ as it resembles bangles. It has beautiful carvings on its walls illustrating the events from the
Ramayana, the
Mahabharata, and the Shaivapurana.
