The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c8.s4.10

c8.s4.10

The northern type of tower is the most marked feature on this temple—so like the śikharas of the oldest temples in Orissa.² Unfortunately the upper part has fallen, but we have a more complete example in that of Huchchimalli-Guḍi next to be considered. There is another temple with a northern tower, near Lāḍ Khān's, which is complete with the crowning member and kalaśa or waterpot finial, though, perhaps, of a slightly later date. These śikharas are fully described in Fergusson's *Indian and Eastern Architecture*.³ What might be called the frontispiece of the tower is missing, but it is seen on that of Huchchimalli-Guḍi, the temple on the south of the village, and others, where it has a circular panel of carving representing Śiva dancing the *tāṇḍava*. This sculpture, which is found on the front of most of these old temples, was possibly placed there, in substitution for some other, when Śaiva worship became the fashion under later kings. It is thus found upon the great Śaiva temples of Virūpāksha and Mallikārjuna at Paṭṭadakal. In these earliest temples it certainly seems so, the sculpture being poor compared with that on the other parts. The slab often rests against the tower instead of being built in with it.