The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c8.s3.2

c8.s3.2

Upon the flat central portion of the roof have been laid a few courses of a śikhara, the first storey in fact, but this is probably an addition of a rather later period. The flat ceiling immediately under this, inside the temple, is an aṣṭadikpāla ceiling, that is, it is divided into nine panels, in the central one of which is Brahmā, while the surrounding eight contain images of the eight regents of the compass. This is a very favourite design of ceiling in later Chālukyan temples, but does not accord well with the heavy massive style of this temple (see Plate V). It was very probably put in at the same time that the śikhara or tower was commenced.