The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c35: The Temples at the Gokāk Falls
The Chālukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c35
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The Temples at the Gokāk Falls
c35.1
SOME of the finest natural scenery in the Bombay Presidency is to be found in the vicinity of the Gokāk Falls in the Belgaum district, and about five miles from the town of Gokāk. Here the river Ghaṭprabhā, flowing eastwards, precipitates itself over a sheer cliff into the valley, a hundred and eighty feet below, amidst wild surroundings of rugged boulder-strewn hills and cactus jungle. But, unfortunately for the picturesque, its beauty is marred by the close proximity of a cotton mill and a modern suspension bridge which spans the crest of the Falls. But where modern masonry offends, the crumbling ruins of several ancient shrines, half hidden by cactus and boulder, add, by their fretted walls, a charm to the whole scene.
c35.2
The largest temple here is that of Taṭēśvaradēva or Mahāliṅgēśvara upon the south side, which is still in use. It faces the north; and, unless it was so placed in order to face the Falls for some reason, it is not at all likely that it was originally dedicated to Śaiva worship. Yet it appears to have images of Śiva as dvārapālas to the antechamber door. It is a fairly late temple. Around about it are several small shrines of sorts but none of any special interest (Plate CXXXV).
c35.3
On the north side of the Falls are some small shrines of earlier date than the big temple on the south, but they are badly ruined. There is a little shrine, with antechamber, just at the end of the suspension bridge, which has Lakuḷīśa above the shrine door. Lying beside it are images of Sūrya with his boots, and Śiva with three heads (Plate CXXXVI). The ceiling has a nine-panelled slab with Mahākālī in the centre and goddesses in all the others, save one which contains Gaṇeśa. This temple faces east.
c35.4
Up above the last is another small temple with three shrines facing south, which has an aṣṭadikpāla ceiling with Śiva in the centre panel. To the east of this is another small shrine.