Mediaeval Temples of the Dakhan c13.s1.2

c13.s1.2

On the outskirts of the town of Bārsi Tākli, twelve miles to the south-east of Akolā, the famous cotton centre, is the compact little black-stone temple of Bhavānī. It consists of a *maṇḍapa* and shrine, both being freely decorated upon the exterior with bands of mouldings and images. The *maṇḍapa* is curiously arranged with regard to the shrine, being attached, as it were, sideways to it, or, in other words, the hall may be described as having its entrance on one side instead of at the end opposite the shrine as is usual. The entrance to the hall is thus at right-angles to that of the shrine. The plan of the hall is rectangular while that of the shrine is star-shaped, which is carried out in the plans of the four decorated pillars which support the central ceiling. A broad band of images runs round the outer walls, the principal ones in which, excepting Ganapati, being females, Mahākālī and Mahiṣāsuramardanī occupying important positions. This is what might be expected in a temple dedicated to a *devī* or goddess, and shows that Bhavānī is not a recent installation in the shrine. The walls are not free from indecent representations. The ceiling is particularly well decorated, the marginal panels being very much like those of temple No. 1 at Balsāne in Khāndesh. The *śikhara* of the shrine and the roof of the hall have disappeared. (Plates XCIX—CI.)