South side view of the mukhamantapa
South side view of the mukhamantapa
The mukhamantapa of the Durga Temple is a pillared front porch with four pillars in the inside and several pillars at the periphery, and it does conforms to the Dravida-style architecture. However, the entrance to the mukhamantapa (and to the temple) is unusual in that the access to the mukhamantapa is through the side staircases, each on the opposite direction (i.e., north and south). The image shows the south side steps.
The space covered by the four internal pillars is elevated and forms a small mantapa (hall) within the mukhamantapa. Check the front view of the temple. This internal mantapa is accessed through a flight of steps on the east end, and the other end of it is the Dvārabandha, i.e., the entrance to the sabhamantapa and garbhagriha.
Richly decorated internal pillars are carved with exquisite stone artwork and sculptural reliefs on all four sides. All the pillars have finely-carved sculptures depicting mostly romantic couples, some of which can be described as mildly erotic, and are known as the mithuna shilpa.
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 – A Masterpiece of Hoysala Temple Art
– Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals
Copyright © 2021 by Lawrence Rodrigues. All rights reserved.