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Jaina Temple |
Dolmen |
Kadasiddheswara Temple |
Jambulingeswara Temple
Galaganatha Temple |
Chandrashekhara Temple |
Sangameswara Temple
Kasivisweswara Temple |
Mallikarjuna Temple |
Virupaksha Temple
Monolithic stone pillar bearing inscription |
Papanatha Temple
Kasivisweswara Temple
Datable to the middle of the 8th century A.D. this temple was probably the last to be built in the Early Chalukyan style at Pattadakal. It contains on plan a
garbhagriha housing a linga on a square pitha with
pranala on north, an antarala and a mandapa. To the east of
mandapa is a plinth of a small entrance porch (mukha-mandapa) and further east there is a moulded basement of a
Nandi-mandapa retaining two square pillars and a couchant image of
nandi in the centre. The two carved brackets projecting from the eastern wall of the
mandapa on either side above the entrance doorways also indicate the once existence of an entrance porch.
The temple is built on a high plinth with the five usual mouldings decorated with the figures of horses, lions, elephants, peacocks, creeper designs and
kudu motifs. A noteworthy feature of the temple is that its outer walls are symmetrically relieved in to five projections
(pancha-ratha) and recesses carried to the superstructure. But for the eastern side, wall surfaces are relieved with pairs of pilasters supporting pediments of
chaitya-arches. On the northern wall of the mandapa there are sculptures of Ardhanariswara and Kalabhirava housed in niches. On either side of the
mandapa entrance the wall surface is relieved with miniature pavilions fashioned in the
Dravida (Southern) style. The cornice (kapota) has chaitya-arches
(kudus) for decorative motif and the upper portions of the walls are embellished with dwarfs
(Ganas) carrying garlands, kirtimukhas and flying couples.
The superstructure displays the fully evolved rekha-nagara (Northern)
Sikhara rising in five stages with its amalaka and kalasa missing. A mesh-like design covers its surface completely. The well-developed
sukanasa projection has a fine sculpture of dancing Uma-Maheswara within the
Chaitya-arch.
The mandapa has an ornate doorway of five sakhas with the river goddesses carved below. The
lalatabimba on the lintel depicts the figure of Garuda holding tails of snakes. Naga in
anjali-mudra (adorative pose) are seen near the rive goddesses. Carvings on the pillars and pilasters of the
mandapa depict episodes from the Bhagavata and Siva-puranas. These sculptures including themes like Ravana lifting Kailasa, Kalyansundarmurti, exploits of Krishna etc., testify to the narrative skill of the Chalukyan artists. The elegantly carved central ceiling panel of the
mandapa depicts Siva, Parvati holding Kartikeya and Nandi, surrounded by the
ashta-dikpalas. Lions and vyalas carved on the beams appear to support the ceiling as it were. The
antarala-doorway is similar to that of the mandapa and has
Saiva Dwarapalas on either side.
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