The village Hedatale is situated about 15 Kms from Nanjangudu town, which is its taluk head Quarters. The village appears to be one of the Temple towns during Hoysala period. The village has two Vishnu temples, one of which at present is abandoned and the other is Ishwara temple. Out of 2 Vishnu temples, Sri Laxmikanta temple, which is in style, has 3 cells consisting of Sri Laxmikanta, Venu Gopala and yoganarasimha Idols with a common Navaranga making the temple a trikutachala. The janara cell has a sukasanas with high decorative doorway. Apart from this, temple has a porch supported with Kakshasanas. The central four pillars are highly decorated and has a ceiling of Lotus bed of about 3ft. The temple is a rare feature. All parts are built with granite. The temple also has a beautiful stone shikara on main cell. At a distance of about 20ft to the east of the temple (i.e. Hoysala temple) is a structure supported by 24 pillars of which, central four are elegantly carved. This Mantapa has been highly decorated /carved with eleven ceilings. The mantapa has entrances on east, south and west. And on the north, has a cell, with seat for chief to conduct court or darbar. Further the village comes under the control of Hadinaru chiefton. Hence the mantapa has been designed to have sixteen (Hadinaru) platforms. Apart from the above the chieftons, 16 son-in-laws used to sit in 16 faces, leaving on the Kakshasanas.

Condition of the Temple

The temple is situated in the heart of the Village and has a vast courtyard. Inside compound wall all-round, huge vegetation has been allowed to grow. At present height of shrubs is about 15ft minimum. As a result, the full view of temple from South, West and North is not possible. Apart from this, the entire structure has sunk considerably. The major part of affected portion in the temple is Garbhagriha. The northern walls of Sri Lakshmikantha and western wall of Sri Laxmi Narasimha from top to bottom [i.e. Adistana to Kapotha] are in the state of collapsing. The core filling appears to have eroded either by growth of vegetation or by ants. The sinking effect of structure is very severe, which could be seen from the eastern wall of Sri Gopalakrishna temple. On account of sinking of wall, the roof slabs adjoining to the structure have developed several vertical cracks right from Chejja up to bottommost course in different ways; perhaps due to bad foundation or no foundation. From the girth of stumps available here and there, the vegetation might have grown from decades back. This growth might have also contributed to the disturbance of the structure. It is also observed that the load bearing capacity of soil is very poor. Apart from this, the entire courtyard is ploughed for Agricultural or Horticultural operations; thereby the flow of storm water is streaming into the foundation and causing sinking of structure.

During our visit we could see that the entire northern part of courtyard is staminate with water for growing flowers without leaving any space from the main structure. This temple has a suitable type stone shikara of about 20ft height. This heavy weight on its head [Garbhagriha] is also one of the reasons for the present state of situation of stability of Garbhagriha walls. At few places, structures seem to be in sound manner from external appearance. The Inner Veneer courses appear to be intact. Especially the Navaranga is in good state. However the exact picture will be known only when the execution is taken up. The condition of shikara is also in very bad state. Cement has been applied on the shikara. From the existing situation it is not possible to know how many courses are missing or damaged. If such is the case, the entire shikara might have been badly affected and the same will have to be replaced with new ones to have the original features. The building material appears to be soft variety of stone and hence, is prone to deterioration. In many places the effect of weathering could be noticed which needs to be arrested. Growth of micro vegetation were noticed on many places; lime wash coatings and ochre bands were also observed on the building material. Numbers were seen on many blocks of stones, possibly done for identification prior to dismantling of the members. These painted numbers need removal.

The chemical treatment hence, involves the eradication of the microvegetational growths, lime washes, ochre coatings, consolidation of the friable locations, application of a suitable fungicide followed by the application of a suitable high polymer as final preservative. Removal of lime wash, ochre coating, use of fungicide, preservation methods involve a sound knowledge of chemistry, conservation and has to be entrusted to an experienced, able and expert chemical conservator only. Unlike other temples, the beautifully lathe turned pillars and other plastered door jambs, lintels coated with lime, have to be removed, cleaned and to be restored back. Otherwise the artistic feature could not be seen at all. The ceiling is covered with black soot, which has to be cleared. Apart from the above, few other structural members are already affected. During the execution process, it may not be possible to use few of them and they will have to be replaced with fresh ones. Keeping the safety of structure [after repairs], a minimum width of 6' flag stone pavement is quite essential, which may avoid the entry of water in to the foundation.

16 faceted Mantapa or Hadinaru mukhada Chawadi: Towards the porch of the main temple, few feet away from the temple porch, Hadinaru mukhada Chawadi exists, supported with 24 pillars, of which the central 4 pillars are elegantly decorated with varieties of features. The mantapa faces are having jagati with Kakshasanas. Then on the Northern side there is a separate cell. The entire roof ceilings are very artistic in nature; unfortunately the feature is either covered with thick coat of lime or black soot or even bat droppings. It appears that Hadinarunayaks used the chawadi or the mantapa as court hall during the court proceedings. All the sixteen sainikas with their family used to sit on the Jagati. The sixteen faces might have been the principle idea representing Hadinaru kingdom. [i.e. Hadinaru Nayaks] Like the main temple, entire structure has sunk and the condition of cell on the Northern portion may collapse at any time. The entire portion i.e. mantapa has to be dismantled and reset. After strengthening the foundation, the shutters of the main temple need replacement. The terrace has to be replaced with fresh weather proofing materials. This was the position of Temple stability at the time of observation.