Belur Chennakeshava Temple: Nāga Sculptures in the Sālu Mantapa

Nāga Sculptures in the Sālu Mantapa of the Belur Chennakeshava Temple in Karnataka, India

Nāga Scuptures in the Sālu Mantapa

Nāga Sculptures in the Sālu Mantapa
The image shows a wall in the Sālu Mantapa with numerous sculptures of nāgas (snakes) carved on stone.

The Sālu Mantapa is a gallery located on the northern perimeter of the temple. The pillars and roof of the Sālu Mantapa are part of the original construction, but the sculptures were later added to the wall as part of the restoration in the 20th century.

Before the restoration, the temple courtyard was filled with a treasure trove of objects, including stone sculptures and inscriptions from different periods, which were of great interest to archaeologists. The restoration included categorizing these objects and embedding some of them on the wall.

Other Sālu Mantapa Images
Nāga Devaté (Snake Goddess)
A Section of the Sālu Mantapa

Bracket figures mounted below the temple eaves

Shilābālikes – Female Bracket Figures
Darpana Sundari, Sukha Bhasini, Nātya Sundari, Gāna Sundari, Kesha Sundari, Tribhangi, Nagna Sundari, Kapala Durga, Koravanji, Nātya Mohini, Betegarthi

Male Bracket Figures
Flute playing male musician
Narthaka – Davane playing male dancer
Davane playing male musician

Hoysala Temples:
Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Bracket Figures
Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Navaranga
Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Outer Wall
Kappe Chennigaraya Shrine
Somanathapura Keshava Temple
Badami Chalukya Temples:
Badami, Cave – 1, Cave – 2, Cave – 3, Cave – 4
Durga Temple at Aihole

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