Mediaeval Temples of the Dakhan c6.30

c6.30

There is less difference in the style of the doorways of the temples, in the three provinces compared, than in any other feature, except, perhaps, the decorated ceilings. Yet no two are exactly alike in their detailed reatment. Over the doors of the Dakhan Śaiva temples Gaṇapati is usually the presiding deity, just as he is in Gujarāt, whereas in the Chālukyan temples it is Gaja-Lakshmī. The Jaina temples have, of course, as elsewhere, a Jina. Gaṇapati has always been a favourite deity in the Dakhan, and he is generally invoked at the beginning of a new year or any new undertaking. New ledgers are opened in his name, and his birthday is kept up with considerable parade, when his images are well to the fore. Being the god of wisdom and Śiva's favourite son, it is appropriate that he should be found in this position. As in Gujarāt the kirtimukha mask adorns the threshold of the doorway. The proportion of height to width of the door openings is, roughly, two to one, which is a very pleasing proportion; and the width of the vertical mouldings on either side is often about the same as the opening.