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BY: SUN STAFF
Allanatha (Varadaraja Swamy) at Kondajji, Karnataka Apr 12, 2013 — CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of Vaisnava temples built by the Hoysala empire.
Allalanatha Temple, Kondajji
Allanatha Temple is located in Kondajji village, in Hassan district of Karnataka. Also known as Chennakeshava temple or Varadaraja Swamy temple, this is the abode of a most extraordinary Deity of Lord Visnu. The Deity is carved out of black stone and stands 18 feet tall. Temple pujaris must use a rolling scaffold in order to dress Sri Allanatha.
Allanatha Temple is located in Kondajji village, in Hassan district of Karnataka. Also known as Chennakeshava temple or Varadaraja Swamy temple, this is the abode of a most extraordinary Deity of Lord Visnu. The Deity is carved out of black stone and stands 18 feet tall. Temple pujaris must use a rolling scaffold in order to dress Sri Allanatha.
The name Varadaraja Swami refers to a form of Lord Visnu's Janardana aspect. The Deity was carved during the 14th Century. At one point, temple priests say it was buried underground to protect it from Muslim invaders, who were rampaging the temples and destroying deities wholesale.
 There is an interesting story associated with Lord Allanatha: It is said that the Deity had originally been carved with plans to install it at the Chennakeshava temple in nearby Belur. However while the deity was being transported, something happened that caused the movers to be unable to complete the trip. There was a risk that the deity would be deserted, until an old lady, Ajji ('grandmother' in Kannada) decided to buy the deity and establish a temple at that place. Thus the village was named 'Kondajji' (Konda and Ajji). 
This story is linked to the era of Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana and Shantala's reign. Given the 14th Century date of the sculpture, however, it seems the event may have occurred during the reign of Ballala III. Lord Allanatha is holding shanka, chakra, gada and lotus. The entire Deity is ornamented in delicate carving, which covers His body, headpiece and paraphernalia, and this fine sculpting is both front and back. Among the sculpted ornaments decorating the Lord's body is an image of Mohini.  Lord Allanatha's abode at Kondajji is in a rather ordinary granite temple. During the middle of the Vijayanagar period the temple fell into ruins and was later restored. The original, or an early structure of the garbhagruha (sanctum) has been retained, while the navaranga was demolished. The temple has a spacious hall.  One of the unique aspects of this temple is that access here is quite unrestricted. All visitors may enter the sanctum for direct darshan of the presiding Deity. There is a loft that one can climb in order to perform abhisheka for the Lord, from above. Allanatha (Chennakeshava) temple is situated on a mound behind the village of Kondajji. Near the temple there is another hillock called Shigada-Gudda, which offers a long view of the surrounding area. 
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