The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c8.s9: Five Old Shrines Around Lāḍ Khān's Temple
The Chālukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c8.s9
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Five Old Shrines Around Lāḍ Khān's Temple
c8.s9.1
In a row in front of the temple of Lāḍ Khān are four other old temples, much smaller in size, and an old tank; while, upon the south side, is another temple embedded amongst the houses. The last, being in use, is unfortunately closed against inspection (23 on plan). The one on the south side of the tank (No. 24) is of the same class as those just described, but it has had an outer open hall built on to it at some later period (Plate XXII). The śikhara is complete in this case, even to the kalaśa or pot finial, which may be compared with that of the temple of Galagnātha at Paṭṭadakal of, perhaps, a slightly later date. The walls of the shrine are very like those of temple No. 7 (see Fig. 12). Over the shrine doorway is Garuḍa, but a liṅga lies discarded within.
c8.s9.2
The next temple, on the north side of the tank (No. 18), is another of these old shrines in disuse, and ruined.
c8.s9.3
Beyond this, again, is the same plan as that in field 270 (No. 9). It is in disuse, and the roof of the central part of the hall is almost completely uncovered. Above the shrine door is Garuḍa, and in a trifoil niche above is a seated Sūrya. Within the shrine is a beautiful standing image, nearly life-size, of Sūrya, but without his boots. Underneath him are his seven horses, prancing forward, and flanked by the wheels of his chariot. This, then, was a temple of Sūrya from the beginning, and does not appear to have been tampered with subsequently.
c8.s9.4
The fourth temple in the row, furthest away from Lāḍ Khān's (No. 16), is a later construction in which the pillars are of a late Chālukyan pattern. It has been used for ages as a byre, and its ancient stench prevented any close examination of its interior.