Aihole Durga Temple: An ornate pillar in the mukhamantapa (porch)

An ornate pillar in the mukhamantapa (porch) of the Durga Temple at Aihole in Karnataka, India

An ornate pillar in the mukhamantapa (porch)

An ornate pillar in the mukhamantapa
As you can see, the pillar shown in the image is ornate with a variety of bas-reliefs. The topmost carving is a mithuna shilpa, i.e., an erotic art form depicting a romantic couple. Below that is a carving depicting a series of male musicians playing different instruments. The frieze below that contains Kirthimukha, a decoration commonly seen in Indian and Southeast Asian temples.

Just above the bottom-most frieze is a Vidyadhara couple carved inside a circular frame. The bottom-most frieze contains a series of male figures, likely wrestlers.

Related Pages
Durga Temple at Aihole
Badami, Cave – 1, Cave – 2, Cave – 3, Cave – 4
Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Bracket Figures
Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Navaranga
Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Outer Wall
Somanathapura Keshava Temple
Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals

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