The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c7.24

c7.24

Every Chālukyan temple consists, necessarily, of a shrine and a porch to protect the entrance thereto. But, usually, a closed hall is added before the shrine, and, often, another open hall before this again. The buildings, as a rule, run east and west, the majority facing east; but some are found facing the north, and a very few the south. There are none in any intermediate position. Śaiva temples face either east or west; Vaiṣṇava temples may also face the same directions, though many face the north, the direction to which temples of some of the goddesses turn. Temples to Gaṇapati, as well as Jaina temples, sometimes face the south, the latter sect not being particular as to which of the cardinal points they turn their shrines.