Aihole Durga Temple: South corridor – East facing view

South corridor - East facing view

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
ExteriorFront view, Rear view, West side view
MukhamantapaExterior, Interior, Ornate pillar, Mithuna Shilpa, Vidyadhara couple, Romantic couple, Coiled Nagaraja, Matsya Chakra
InteriorDvarabandha, Sabhamantapa, Garbhagriha
Pradakshina PathaWest facing view, East facing view,
Devakoshtas Shiva with his vehicle Nandi, Narasimhavatara, Vishnu riding Garuda, Varahavatara, Durga as Mahishasuramardini, Harihara
JālandharasSwastika 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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