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World Heritage Sites – Pattadakal – Monuments Jambulingeswara Temple

Jambulingeswara Temple

Built probably in the middle of the 7th century A.D. this temple represents a stage of experimentation in introducing a sukanasa projecting from the shikhara (over the mandapa ) in front. Facing the east, this structure consists on plan a square sanctum (garbhagriha) housing a linga on the pitha with pranala on the north and a mandapa. To the east of the temple are seen the ruins of a raised platform and basement of a Nandi-mandapa on it. The couchant image of Nandi on this basement is worn out.

The temple is built on a high plinth having five mouldings with its topmost moulding (kapota) decorated with kudus, miniature ganas and birds. The walls are decorated with pilasters at the corners and on either side of the side of the windows and niches. Walls of the sanctum have centrally projected ornate devakoshtha (niches) having sculptures of Siva (south), Surya (west) and Vishnu (north). The ends of the roof slabs of the mandapa and the ceiling slabs of the garbhagriha resting upon the cave are carved with vyalas and makaras and a frieze of swans runs below the cornice all round.

The superstructure over the sanctum is of the rekha-nagara (northern) style with a curvilinear profile rising in three diminishing stages, but its amalaka and kalasa are missing. A small sukanasa projecting from the sikhara (over the mandapa) is seen in the form of a trefoil chaitya-arch depicting Natesa with Parvati and Nandi flanked by nagas in anjali (adorative) posture.

The doorway of the mandapa is adorned with three shakhas (decorative door-bands). The stambha-sakhas on either side have purnakumbhas below their capitals and there is a frieze of swans over the door. The sanctum doorway has four sakhas with dwarfs and attendants carved beneath. The stambha-sakhas (pilasters) support a flat cave and a pediment above consisting of kutas and salas.

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