A small village about 12 kms north east of Hassan town, Koravangala's green and lively landscape would fascinate any visitor. Among its picturesque settings is a 12th century Shiva temple that stands as a masterpiece in Hoysala architecture. Originally known as Kora Mangala, the place was a flourishing Agrahara. Out of three Shiva temples in the place, two were dilapidated and the biggest of them called Bhooteshwar or Bucheshwara has survived to this day. Inscriptions around the temple site give us an idea of the temple's construction and the various grants it received. One of them specifies the name of Bhutanatha Raja or Buchi Raja, a Brahmin officer from the family that serves Hoysala king Narasimha I, as the man who constructed it.
The inscription also states consecration of the temple coincided with the coronation of King Ballala in 1173. Located at the center of the village, the temple has a large tank on the side called Mukasamudra. Though originally built over a large platform, today it stands almost equal to the ground.
Apart from a porch, the temple consists of a Mukhamantapa, a grand Navaranga, an open Sukhanasi and Garbhagriha. A small shrine for Surya is also connected with the main shrine.
The Mukhamantapa is supported by 32 pillars and adorned with thirteen ceilings carved with flat lotus flowers. It has two entrances facing north and south.
Made in different sizes, the pillars are shaped like bells and lathe, with finely carved beads all round. Pilasters carved elegantly with scrollwork support porches at the entrance. The south entrance has an imposing presence with soap stone elephants at the sides, and Dwarapalakas with female Chamaradharis on the jambs.
The Navaranga has neatly carved ceilings. The northern part of it has an enticing image of Krishna. On the lintel, above the entrance to Navaranga, a fine image of Gaja Lakshmi is also found. Idols of Ganapathi, Saraswathi and Saptha Matrikas adorn the corners of the Navaranga. On the right side is a figure of Dashina Murthy.
The Vimana above the Garbhagriha is made of soapstone. It consists of turrets in four tears with numerous sculptures. An exquisite Hoysala crest adorns the Vimana's facade. The sanctum sanctorum has a huge Shivalinga made of Blackstone. Every section of the temple has wonderful sculptures that mark this temple out from many others.
A row of large idols carved in single and double pilasters with turrets above them adorn the outer walls. Figures of Vishnu, Narasimha, Varaha, Venugopala, Natya Saraswathi, Kaliyamardana Krishna, etc can be found there. On the wall panel the carving of the Gajendramoksha sequence is absolute marvel.
Koravangala can be reached easily through the road cutting off from Hassan-Arasikere road. Several local buses and taxies are available from Hassan.
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