Want to get a glimpse of the Kalyana Chalukya sculpture style of the10th century? Then take a look at Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy temple, also known as Sri Rameswaralayam, located in this tiny village.
Adjacent to National Highway 9, Nandikandi village is hardly a one-and-a-half-hour drive from the State capital, roughly 65 km away.
The temple is located towards the south of the village and the entrance arch has seven inverted lotuses on top of it. Locals claim that the sun’s rays permeate through the lotuses and directly fall on the Shivalingam in the sanctum of the temple.
The temple had witnessed the onslaught of Mughals and some of the idols and parts of the structure were destroyed in the attack.
Dwarapalakas welcome devotees at the entrance. About 5 ft in height, the statue of Lord Ganesha is beautifully carved in the southern part of the sanctum, which is witness to attacks by invaders. Even the ears of Nandi were destroyed and later, fixed with cement.
While the ‘garbhalayam’ was designed in a star-like model, the top of the temple was designed like a lotus.
Last year, development works were taken up at the temple at a cost of about Rs. 48 lakh. All the old sculptures were separately arranged in a room on the left side of the premises. A guest house was also constructed opposite to the temple so that people who want to stay can take rest or stay for the night.
