The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c24.s1.2

c24.s1.2

The temple of Kaithabhēśvara stands about half a mile to the north of the town, and is built upon high ground which appears to have been at one time enclosed and fortified. Perhaps this was Ḥaidar ‘Alī’s entrenched camp which he is said to have made when retreating from the Marāṭha forces in 1766. The temple has a very fine hall which is supported upon some massive and well-designed circular columns. The central panel of the hall ceiling is a particularly fine piece of work. The building is in a very good state of preservation and is well cared for. Several long inscriptions are inscribed upon the top of the broad bench which runs round the hall inside, as well as upon the shafts of the columns. A pleasant feature about the temple is its unusually lofty hall, and the pillars being massive in proportion, the general effect is good (Plates XCVIII—C).