Recently, a Hoysala-era idol of Goddess Kali at the Lakshmi Devi Temple at Doddagaddavalli, Karnataka was found damaged.
Lakshmi Devi Temple was built by the Hoysalas in the year 1114 CE during the rule of King Vishnuvardhana. The material used for building was Soapstone. The temple has a distinct character, it does not stand on a jagati (platform), a feature which became popular in later Hoysala temples. The temple is a chatuskuta construction (4 shrine and tower). The towers are in Kadamba nagara style. The mantapa is open and square. The reason for the square plan is the presence of shrines on all four sides of the mantapa. There is a separate fifth shrine of Bhairava, an avatar of Lord Shiva. The main deity is Goddess Lakshmi whereas all Hoysala temples are dedicated to either Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and in some cases to Jains. Lakshmi Devi Temple is an archaeological Survey of India (ASI) monument and is also among the monuments proposed for the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
According to sources, vandals must have damaged the idol while looking for a hidden treasure. But the police believe otherwise, they say that the damage was done due to neglect. It was also revealed by the local guard that there was no security at night over the past year. During the day time, the temple is open between 7am-5.45pm and a priest and labourer are present along with an ASI officer.
The architecture that developed under the rule of the Hoysalas is mostly concentrated in Southern Karnataka. Hoysala temples are also called hybrid or vesara as their unique style seems neither completely dravida nor nagara, but an amalgamation of the two.
The most characteristic feature of these temples is that they grow extremely complex with so many projecting angles emerging from the previously straightforward square temple, that the plan of these temples starts looking like a star, and is thus known as a stellate-plan.
As a proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site, protection and preservation of ancient artifacts in the Lakshmi Devi Temple is primal and essential. Damage of idol of Goddess Kali signifies leniency and negligence which should be taken care of. Hoysalas have left behind them a heritage we must cherish and maintain.
