The temple of Kodandarama,
which is a state-protected monument, stands in the south-east of the city. It appears
to have been built in three stages. This temple is a structure in the Hoysala
style, so far as the Garbhagriha and Sukanasi are concerned, the remaining
portions being subsequent additions in the Dravidian style. The present Navagraha
is of the 14th century A.D., while the Mukhamanatapa (porch) may be
of the 16th century A.D. The outer walls of the Garbhgriha and
vestibule are raised on a square basement which consists of six cornices. The
outer walls of the Navagraha and Mukhamantapa are built of brick and mortar.
The projection of the vestibule appears to be of the 17th century.
In the Garbhagriha on a common Hanuman pedestal, there are images of Kodandarama
(i.e., Rama with bow), Sita, who is on the right, and Lakshmana on the left. Rama
and Lakshmana are both depicted carrying arrows in their right hands and strung
bows in their left hands. These images appear to be of a later date, and not
Hoysala.
In the Prakara (enclosed
area) of the temple, there are small shrines containing the figures of
Yoganarasimha. Vedanta Deshika, Sugriva, Muddukrishna, Madhava, Ramanujacharya,
etc. Yoganarismha is called so because he is shown in the posture of
meditation. But after Rama, Balarama, believed to be incarnation of Shesha and
Ramanuja is also described as Shesha s incarnation. The image of Madhava is of
the pre-Hoysala style, resembling Badami Chalukya workmanship. While its right
lower hand has a short round staff, the left lower is placed on the waist. The
outer-walls of the garbhagriha and sukanasi have, besides pilasters and
turrets, two rows of figures representing mostly Vishnu and his forms such as
Hayagriva, Narasimha, Lakshminarayana, Venugopola, Kaliya-Mardana and
Govardhanadhari. There are also figures of Lakshmi, Hunaman, Garuda Ganapati.
A jatra of Kodandarama
temple is held for one day about February of every year. The temple also has a fine
pond nearby which is now dry.
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