The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c8.s2.9

c8.s2.9

The waterpot ornament, which is seen on the front of the porch, is a very favourite device in the decorative details of many of these old temples. That the idea of its use, in this way, is at all connected with the traditional origin of the Chālukyas from the waterpot is very doubtful.¹ It was not confined to Chālukyan work, for it is found repeatedly used in the Rāṣṭrakūṭa caves at Elūrā. Again, it is seen, in rather classic guise, with draperies, at the tops of the several very fine memorial stones at Borivali in Sālsette island near Bombay (see Plates CLIII and CLIV). Nor is it confined to any particular religious sect, for we find it both on Brahmanical and Jaina temples. The finials of temples are but waterpots—the *kalaśa*.