The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c7.29

c7.29

The doorways are also profusely decorated. Bands of delicately chiselled fretwork, moulded pillarettes and interminable scrolls filled with tiny figures, form quite a bundle of mouldings running up the sides and across the lintel and architrave above. Narrow, deeply-channelled grooves separate them into groups and these lines of deep shadow form effective contrast with the mouldings themselves. Above, upon the centre of the lintel, projects the small dedicatory block, already alluded to. Unlike the northern temples these have no *kirtimukha* mask upon the front of the doorstep, but in front of it there is often a very ornamental low step such as that at Ḍambal (Plate CXXVI) upon which a good deal of work was lavished, even though hardly seen in the gloomy interior. Above the lintel there is generally found a deep richly-wrought architrave, in which, beneath arched rolls of arabesque, are found the images of Brahmā, Śiva and Viṣṇu--Śiva or Viṣṇu occupying the centre according to the deity to whom the temple was dedicated. Gaṇapati and Kārtikēya may be added at the ends, or the male deities may be represented by their *śaktis* or female counterparts. At the foot of the doors of the earlier temples, one on either side, are often found the river goddesses Gaṅgā and Yamunā. In still earlier temples in other parts of India, like those of the Guptā period, they are found at each side at the top of the door.