The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c46.1

c46.1

OCCASIONALLY solitary columns are met with which, no doubt, in most cases, stood before temples that have disappeared, and with which they were connected. We have already noticed those at the temples of Lōkēśvara at Paṭṭadakal and Mahākūṭēśvara with their inscriptions. These, when complete, were surmounted by regular capitals, above which, as they were Śaiva temples with which they were connected, was placed the triśūla—at least, we know it was upon the column at the former temple. Of about the same age are the remains of two found lying upon a heap of ruins on the western outskirts of the town of Kukkanūr, one of them being more perfect than the other. The base, shaft and capital lie apart, but when plotted together on paper, they form a pillar sixteen feet six inches high. The shaft is divided into sections which are square, octagonal, sixteen and thirty-two-sided. It is Hindu, and appears to be of the same age as the Navalinga temple which is not far from it, and which has already been described. There is a band of figure sculpture round the shaft in which seems to be a representation of Mahishāsura-Mardanī. On the square portion, above this, are flower buds and corner tassels with the śvastika emblem between them. The capital is similar to the capitals of the round pillars in the temple just mentioned. It is very likely this column was surmounted by the triśūla like the great pillars in the courtyard of the monolithic temple of Kailāsa at Ēḷūrā. The place, where these columns lie, looks like the site of some old building, for deep down in the bottom of a pit that has been dug may be seen layers of brick masonry forming the foundation of some entrance. Round the shaft of the column is an almost illegible old Kanarese inscription (Plate LVI).