Pattadakal: Timeless temples

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, all the temples face east. From motifs and sculptures of Lord Shiva to other deities of the Hindu pantheon, the temples are adorned with exquisite artwork.

Along with nine Shiva temples, there is a shrine dedicated to Parsvanatha, the 23rd Jain Tirthankar.

Most of the temples house a garbha griha (the sanctum sanctorum) that leads to an antarala (a vestibule), which is joined by a pillared mandapam (a hall). The image of the deity is kept on a peetha (a pedestal). On top of the sanctum rises the shikhar (a spire) that has a kalash with a coconut and mango leaves at its finial.

The Virupaksha Temple is the most intricate amongst the Pattadakal Group of Monuments. It was built by Queen Lokamahadevi around 740 CE to mark the victory of her husband King Vikramaditya II over the Pallava kings.

This Virupaksha temple at the Pattadakal Group of Monuments features a sanctum sanctorum surrounded by an ambulatory path and connected to a vestibule. Devotees can pay respects to the shrines of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Mahishasurmardini placed laterally here.

The Virupaksha Temple’s enclosure walls (prakaras) make up the boundary of the temple.

The Virupaksha Temple’s most notable feature is a gorgeous Dravida-shikhara, with a sukanasa or a nose-arched projection.

The beautiful Mallikarjuna Temple is next. Adjacent to the Virupaksha Temple, it was initially known as the Trailokeswara Temple. It has an Amalaka in its shikhara, in a hemisphere shape.

Mallikarjuna Temple’s shrines, located in the vestibule, do not have images of any deities and the ambulatory walls have suffered the ravages of time. However, of note are the niches in the temple that are ornamented beautifully.

A tour of the Pattadakal group of monuments is incomplete without a visit to Sangameswara Temple.

Originally known as the Vijayeswara Temple, it was built by Vijayaditya in 720 CE, and features a sanctum sanctorum that has a lingam.

There is also an idol of Nandi kept on a small plinth.

The temple is an architectural and sculptural marvel as it has been built on a plinth that has mouldings adorned with floral and animal motifs.

The walls are also praiseworthy and one can see niches decorated with avatars of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

Another attraction is the modest Kadasiddheswara Temple, built in the latter half of the 7th Century CE. Its shikhara reflects a Nagara style of architecture and its sukanasa bears the image of Lord Shiva dancing with Goddess Parvati.

At the Jambulingeswara Temple, one can visit the square sanctum sanctorum that houses a lingam.

The next stopover is the Galaganatha Temple, which was among the last to be built in 750 CE.

A well-preserved temple, it boasts of a majestic plinth that has three mouldings decorated with intricate figures.

You can also admire the depictions of stories from the Panchatantra and the Puranas, which are truly mesmerising.

Tourists can also visit the relatively small Chandrashekhara Temple that houses a sanctum sanctorum with a lingam on a plinth.

The entrance door of the shrine is ornamented with figurines of dwarpalas (gate-keepers).

The Papanatha Temple is another attraction at Pattadakal. It is notable for an elaborately carved sukhanasa (a tympanum-like false window) and a vimana built in the northern style of architecture. It is believed to be the largest temple built in Nagara style.

Other features at Pattadakal worth experiencing are the Kasivisweswara Temple - which is the last temple in the compound - the Jain Temple and a monolithic stone pillar.