The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c8.s3.3

c8.s3.3

This first storey of the śikhara is about five feet high, and has an image niche on each of its four sides. That, on the north, seems to contain an image of the tāṇḍava of Śiva, but it is damaged; on the west is Varāha, the boar avatāra of Viṣṇu; on the south is Bhairava, while, on the east is the Vāmana avatāra of Viṣṇu. Vaiṣṇava sculptures occupying the east and west niches, together with Garuḍa presiding over the shrine door, point to the temple being, originally, Vaiṣṇava. A great heavy stone ladder, standing against the side of the temple, was very likely set up for the workmen who were engaged upon the building of the śikhara. There was no intention of constructing a shrine upon the roof, for no doorways are left.