The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c9.2

c9.2

This is supposed to be the scene of the destruction of the demon brothers Vātāpi and Ilvala by the saint Agastya, who is said to have constructed the tank. In connection with this story, Dr. Fleet says: “It is possible that in this legend of Vātāpi and Ilvala, neither of which names have an Āryan appearance or sound, and for neither of which a satisfactory Sanskrit derivation can be found, there are preserved the names of two aboriginal kings who held this part of the country when Āryan civilisation first made its way into it from the north.” On either side of the entrance gateway to the enclosure, is an almost life-sized dvārapāla, or doorkeeper, which are looked upon as statues of the two demons and are called by their names.