Gorantla might have been just another nondescript village if not for the historical Madhavaraya Temple, a stunning relic of the Vijayanagar Empire. The temple is believed to have been built in 1354 AD by Narasimha Saluva of the Vijayanagar Empire. However, this date seems to conflict with the timeline, as Saluva Narasimha ruled much later, from 1485 to 1491 AD. Perhaps someone can help clarify this discrepancy.
Our Visit to Gorantla
We visited Gorantla during our trip to Penukonda. After crossing Bagepalli, we turned right at Kodur, which led us to Gorantla.
Gorantla was quite congested, typical of a small Indian village. The temple stood adjacent to the main road, but parking was a challenge. After some back-and-forth searching, we noticed a closed theater near the temple. When we asked the locals about parking, they kindly directed us to park there—a fine example of the hospitality visitors often receive in India.
The Madhavaraya Temple
The Madhavaraya Temple is remarkably well-preserved, a nice work done by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Apart from a handful of locals who were either chatting idly or glued to their phones, we were the only visitors at the time.
The temple consists of a pillared mandapa (porch) in the front, an enclosed central hall and the shrine (Garbha griha).
The pillared porch is the most ornate part of the temple, featuring bas-relief sculptures that depict scenes from the Ramayana and the Puranas. The entrances are richly adorned with carvings of Vaishnava deities, and inside the garbha griha, there is a small idol of Lord Madhavaraya.
There is a large stepped well in front of the temple. A lush green park surrounds the temple, offering a serene environment.
The temple felt like an oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowded village. While the premises are well-maintained, the absence of an information board was noticeable—it would have been helpful to learn more about the temple’s history on-site.
Summary
If you’re traveling to Gandikota from Bengaluru, you’ll pass through Gorantla. It’s a perfect spot to take a break and explore this beautiful temple. The peaceful ambiance and historical significance make it a worthwhile detour.
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