Chandramouleshwara Devastana revisited - 2

...continued from Chandramouleshwara Devastana revisited - 1.

The previous post covered the interior and part of the southern half of the exterior. Below is the south-western corner. The walls are covered with murals of Kirtimikha, miniature columns, miniature Shikhara and lines of sculptures which look like cooling fins. The rear part of the temple seems to be better preserved compared to the front side.

Here's a plan of the temple showing approximate dimensions and few key items such as the entrance, the central shrine & its deity, the additional deity and an idol of Nandi (D). The temple is symmetrical in both axes. The specialty of this temple is its central chamber with four doors. The deity, a Shivalinga, can be seen from four directions (A). Also a path goes around the central shrine. The additional deity is Chaturmukha Linga ~ four faced Linga which is placed on the western part (D). This is probably the only such Chalukyan temple as I know.

This flower is Chalukyan signature item. It can be seen in different sizes and ways its placed. Here the flowers occupies the space between miniature columns. The flower can be seen in both vertical and horizontal orientation.

The uppermost part of these walls are Hoysala artwork showing Ugranarasimha and a Kirtimukha. When the lands came under different rulers, the temples underwent minor modifications... something was removed and replaced with new art work. In fact Hoysala rulers have modified many Chalukyan temples. The changes have integrated well. The artists respected the work of their predecessors and the sculptors were respected by the rulers.

A closer look at the miniature Shikharas crowning proportional columns. I tried to get a symmetrical picture, I was close but not really succeed. However, the sculptures are symmetrical. The precision in the columns is mind-blowing. If you moved a cross-hair vertically, you'll see the horizontal lines on either sides are on the same level.

The south-west corner seen from the west.

The western entrance of the temple. The other specialty of this temple is the unobstructed view through the eastern and western doors which passes though the central shrine. The mesh work and columns are same as in the front. If you peep through this window, you'll be able see Chathurmukha Linga and also the Shivalinga in the central shrine.

A closer look at the mesh. The plan of the temple can be seen in this work. Look at one 'plus mark' marked within the yellow square. Compare this with the second image in this post, shape matches the plan closely.

This is the north-eastern corner of the temple. The temple walls have three distinct layers- lower, middle and top. On either sides of the middle layer is a line of rectangular blocks. See the black line (hollow space in the sculpture) is perfectly straight through out. That shows the brilliant workmanship of the builders.

These are those rectangular blocks. The more I see them, the more they looks like cooling fins. Who know they could be cooling fins for real. Stones heat up considerably during summers, to the extent they crack open or even explode. The builder might have created these fins to allow faster cooling.

The fins are not just rectangular blocks. Here are curved ones as well. Is this a self-cleaning system? ..drops of rainwater falling on this surface flows down into the channel, repeated flow of water carried away accumulated dust. There could be other purposes.

These are the steps to the rear entrance. This gutter connects the two shrines inside. Builders of this temple built a pipe line below the floor level, passed it below the additional shrine and brought it out of the western side. Other temples'  drainage systems are simpler compared to this system.

Upper part of a column. What an amazing piece of work. Perfect straight lines, right angles and precise angular formation. The precision work creates a feeling that this structure was a sophisticated system to harness cosmic energy.

The other distinct mural is this floral art which encloses different creatures or humans in varying postures. Here we have a dancing Ganesha and his vehicle Mushak. Local folks have applied oil to Ganesha and Mushak.

Human figures in the creeper showing musicians.

One must see the temple with own eyes to feel the beauty. I bow to ancient temple builders, and double bow to Chalukyan temple builders. My tour of the temple was done.

The temple sits on elevated ground. The ground on the eastern side is slightly lower. From the exit point, house tops can be seen. One of the house's chimney is quite interesting. The two apsidal domes made of cement. The cement pipe provided extra ventilation. I'm sure it a kitchen chimney, below it a traditional firewood stove. Unkal village has many old houses featuring classic wooden balconies with cast iron grills. Some of the lanes are frozen in time.

I wanted to show the ladies another Chalukyan temple.. Banashankari Devastana of Amargol which is midway between Hubli and Dharwad.

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