The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c10.s2.2

c10.s2.2

The main temple is composed of work of different periods. The closed hall and shrine are of the earliest work, while the outer open hall is of a much later time. In the inner hall the deep heavy architrave above the columns divides the hall, as in all these old temples, into a lofty central nave and two lower side aisles, although the central raised floor, as shown in the plan, would make it appear as if the interior was arranged as in later temples. The pillars are of the same massive style as those in the temple of Mālegitti-Śivālaya (Plate XXXIII). The ceiling of the nave is divided into three bays by shallow cross-beams each being decorated with a lotus rosette. Four perforated geometric-patterned windows, which have pretty surface tracery over the outside, admit a dim religious light into the hall.