South corridor – East facing view
South corridor of the Pradakshinapatha – East facing view
The Durga Temple at Aihole has a covered pradakshina patha (clockwise circumambulation path), which is a corridor that is entered through the left side and exited from the right side of the mukhamantapa.
As you can see from the image, this corridor has a slightly slanted roof supported by the square-shaped stone pillars at the periphery. The other side of this corridor is a wall that surrounds the garbhagriha and the mantapa (covered hall) in front of it. Built into the upper part of this wall are the devakoshtas (niches) and beautifully designed jālandharas (perforated windows). Installed in the devakoshtas are the finely-carved sculptures, each depicting a god or goddess. The jālandharas provide light and ventilation into the interior. The lower part of the wall is decorated with beautiful stone artwork and reliefs.
Because the Durga Temple is apsidal, the corridor is bent at the far end, which means its rear side covering the garbhagriha (inner sanctum) is circular.
Durga Temple Images
Exterior – Front view, Rear view, West side view
Mukhamantapa – Exterior, Interior, Ornate pillar, Mithuna Shilpa, Vidyadhara couple, Romantic couple, Coiled Nagaraja, Matsya Chakra
Interior – Dvarabandha, Sabhamantapa, Garbhagriha
Pradakshina Patha – West facing view, East facing view,
Devakoshtas – Shiva with his vehicle Nandi, Narasimhavatara, Vishnu riding Garuda, Varahavatara, Durga as Mahishasuramardini, Harihara
Jālandharas – Swastika and lotus flower patterns, Rhombus-shaped perforations, Dharmachakra – 8 spokes, Dharmachakra – 12 spokes, Square perforations
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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