The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c8.s4.6

c8.s4.6

Though the image groups, representing Narasiṃha, Mahiṣāsura-mardanī, Varāha, Viṣṇu, Ardhanārī, and Śiva, in the niches around the walls in the outer verandah, are an impartial mixture of Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava subjects, it is very likely that the temple was originally dedicated to Vaiṣṇava worship—possibly to Sūrya-Nārāyaṇa. The central niche at the back, which, in a temple, generally contains the most important image next to that in the shrine, and which gives a clue to the principal object of worship, is empty.