The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c8.s2.6

c8.s2.6

Though the decorative details upon this temple are spare, they are vigorous and expressive; they are suited to their position, and are not so crowded and meaningless as in many later buildings. The great lattice windows in the north and south sides are very chaste and effective, introduced, as they are, into otherwise severely plain walling with which they agree most admirably. In the west or back, and the front walls are pairs of circular windows, set in square frames, in which are radiating fish, forming as it were, the spokes of a wheel. This same fish design is found in the ceiling of Cave II at Bādāmi. But the most decorated part of the temple is the front porch, the pillars of which have life-sized images upon them in bold relief (Plate VII). On the extreme south pillar of the façade is a female figure standing on a tortoise, which is intended to represent the river goddess Yamunā. Probably, upon the corresponding pillar at the north end will be found Gaṅgā on her *makara*, but this has been obscured by the wall of an adjacent house which is built against it. Between the pillars is a low parapet wall having a seat running round on the inside. The outside of this wall is panelled and decorated with ornamental waterpots and a complicated knotted design. The ceilings are very plain. In the central bay of the hall ceiling is a small *Nāga* or serpent figure, with his tail rolled twice around him.