150-yr-old Kanale temple tells a forgotten story in colour
Sagar: Tucked away in the lush interiors of Karnataka's Sagar- Kanale region lies a neglected gem of artistic and spiritual heritage — the Sri Eshvara Temple, once adorned with murals believed to be over 150 years old. Today, these intricate wall paintings, once brimming with local folklore and sacred narratives, face a slow erosion, both by time and human oversight.
On this International Yoga day, Prof. SA Krishnaiah brings this to the public domain in his one research parlance. 'The attic of this temple has a mural that shows Yoga and Kundalini and the mandalas which needs to be restored immediately as it is showing erosion and heavy weathering'
The temple's architecture evokes the grandeur of the Vijayanagara style, reminiscent of Hampi's stone marvels. But what set it apart were its now-lost murals: elaborate cartwheel motifs and narrative wall paintings that reportedly conjured the illusion of a temple car festival in full swing.
'There was once a sense that the walls moved with life — the divine procession almost felt real,' recalled a local elder, lamenting the fact that many of these visuals were erased during a routine whitewashing drive.
Only fragments of the original glory remain today — on the decaying roof above the front staircase. In adjacent spaces, faint images of mythological figures like Shakkini and Daakini peek through layers of time. Some portions of the temple's attic, accessible only by ladder, still bear Kannada script inscriptions and pictorial sagas, offering rare glimpses into the devotional storytelling of a bygone era.
The surrounding village of Kanale, about 12 to 15 kilometres from Sagar and nestled near Mandagalale and Kagod, is known for its educated populace. Yet few are aware of the spiritual and cultural significance etched into the temple's fading murals and mud walls. Adding to the site's quiet allure is a serene temple lake, reflecting the temple's image in still waters — a picturesque metaphor for the stillness of preservation.
Efforts to revive interest in this mural heritage have found some champions. Dr. Venkatesh Jois and Professor S. A. Krishnaiah have been instrumental in bringing the temple's mural art to scholarly attention, documenting what remains and urging for immediate conservation.
As mural fragments crumble and colours fade, Kanale's Eshvara Temple stands as both a testament to regional artistry and a reminder of how easily heritage can be lost. The time to act — to restore and protect what little remains — is now says Prof. Krishnaiah.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Yoga starts long before you touch the mat: Swami Bodhamayananda
As global attention turns to yoga on June 21, Swami Bodhamayananda, Adhyaksha of Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad, offers a timely reminder: yoga is not just a fitness trend — it is a spiritual science deeply embedded in India's civilisational ethos. In a conversation with TNIE's Khyati Shah, he reflects on the spiritual roots of yoga, its moral foundations and how it can be a tool for personal transformation in a restless modern world. Edited excerpts: On International Yoga Day, people across the world are rolling out their mats for asanas. But is that all yoga is about? What is the true essence of yoga? That's a good start, but yoga is much more than just postures. At its core, yoga is a balanced state of mind. It's about not being attached to outcomes, whether success or failure. This idea is rooted in the Bhagavad Gita, where Lord Krishna defines yoga as Karma Yoga — skill in action. True yoga is about performing one's duty selflessly, offering every action to a higher purpose. It means living with balance: detached, yet deeply involved; acting without ego, serving without condition and learning without pride. How does yoga connect with India's spiritual traditions like Vedanta? India's spiritual landscape is rich — Nyaya, Vedanta, Sankhya and of course, Yoga. Patanjali's system is profound, but yoga was never meant to be reduced to just a workout. Before you attempt asanas, you must embody the Yamas and Niyamas: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (moderation) and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness). These are the moral and ethical foundations. Only then are you truly ready for dhyana (meditation). How was yoga practised in earlier generations One of yoga's most essential elements is purity. Without purity in thought, intention and action, even the energy generated through yogic practices can be misused, sometimes unknowingly. Compared to earlier generations, I genuinely feel we're seeing a decline in that inner purity. That's a concern. It's one reason I believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Mission Karmayogi. It's not just about training government employees; it's about transforming mindsets. The idea is to evolve from being mere karmacharis (workers) to karma yogis, people with purpose and discipline. Even Central universities are now hosting these training programmes.
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Hans India
Nara Lokesh lauds govt. officials and TDP leaders for success of Yogandhra event
Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh said that Andhra Pradesh has broken world records by holding yogandhra event and created a new history. The Guinness World Records praised the fact that 3,00,105 people participated in the International Yoga Day organised in Visakhapatnam and created a record. The organisation made a post to this effect. The minister responded to this and said that a new record has been achieved as a platform for Brand Visakhapatnam. Lokesh thanked the TDP leaders and ranks who participated in this success. The minister thanked the government officials who successfully organised the ceremony and everyone who cooperated.
New Indian Express
5 hours ago
- New Indian Express
International Yoga Day event in Vizag sets Guinness record; over 3 lakh people participate
VISAKHAPATNAM: The International Yoga Day, organised at RK Beach in Visakhapatnam, set multiple records. The grand event marked the culmination of the month-long 'Yogandhra' campaign, conducted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. As part of the campaign, the state provided training to over 1.44 lakh yoga instructors, registered more than 2.17 crore participants across 1.4 lakh locations, and saw over 3 lakh people participate at a single location in Vizag. Additionally, certificates were issued to 1.7 crore participants. The event also set another record, with at least 22,122 tribal students performing a mass Surya Namaskar. Guinness Book representatives present certificate to Lokesh Guinness Book of Records representatives presented the official certificate to IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh. The 11th International Day of Yoga (IYD) event in Visakhapatnam set a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering for a yoga session at a single venue, with 3 lakh people participating in a mass yoga demonstration that stretched 28 kilometres from Visakhapatnam to Bhogapuram. Earlier, the Gujarat government had organised a mass yoga session with nearly 1.53 lakh participants in 2023. Now, the Andhra Pradesh government has successfully conducted a month-long series of mass yoga sessions across the state.
