Ikkeri Aghoreshvara Devastana - part 2

..continued from Ikkeri Aghoreshvara Devastana - part 1.

In the first part we covered the Nandi Mantapa and the main temple's (Aghoreshwara Devastana) facade and eastern side. The main temple is north facing, in plan is 35 meters long x 19 meters wide and symmetrical. This is the rear end of the temple. As you see, the rear elevation is symmetrical too. On the left hand side is Parvati Devastana. The Nandi idol head is slightly turned- its left eye looks at Aghoreshwara and right eye looks at Parvati.

Now we move towards the western side of the temple. The floor I was standing on was super heated, it was not possible to stand at a spot for more than 10 seconds. In fact people ran in search of shade.I somehow tolerated the discomfort trying to get some decent shots. The corner view of the Garbhagudi is a handsome sight. It has three shrines on its outer walls, did not really check out the deities inside.

The temple's Mukhamandapa is wider than the Garbhagriha. The other difference is the canopy which is present only in the Mukhamandapa.

The Garbhagriha walls are made of smaller blocks, even the corner are blocks instead of columns. The sub-shrine on this face is vacant.  At the lintel level, there are five gutters to drain our water on the roof. Have to see this temple after a heavy downpour.

Compared to Chalukyan and Hoysala architecture, Keladi Nayaka architecture seems simplified. Probably, humans changes, their qualities were diluted, thereby diluting the dedication to their profession and the sense of quality. The base level of this temple is very simple compared to Chalukyan temples. Nevertheless, ancient stonework is admirable.

Moving on to the front of the temple, I notice this moon and encircled horse on the wall. Along the base of the wall is a strip of peacocks, flowers and sitting lions ~ beautiful, gentle and strong.

Row of Kirtimukha in the base level of the Mukhamandapa. They look fierce when lit with bright sunlight. In shade they looks less fierce.

Balustrade flanking the steps at the western door. The imaginary creature is identical to the ones on the other side. The angle of light has enhanced the sculpture's features nicely. The circular shadow of the tongue has matched the curvature of the hind quarters.

Each balustrade must be weighing 350 kgs. Did one sculptor make all of of them or many were involved. How many sculptors worked on this entire temple and for how long? Who cleared out the waste material and what happened to it? As I know, heaps of waste stone (chips from carving) hasn't been discovered near any of the temples. How was it disposed?

Taking a closer look at one balustrade. The man seems to be blowing a conch. What could be the purpose of the spiral. Does it hint people to focus inwards, into a single point?

 Side view of the Mukhamantapa is quite elegant. Were there windows on the right hand side, it would've looked balanced. Surely the builders had reason for adding windows there.

The door and perforated windows are the only source of direct light inside at this point of time. Shafts of light entering through the small openings will have an interesting effect inside.. light would scatter instead of one bright patch. Lets go in and check out.

These three windows are the same ones seem in the above picture. Light is so bright, it has blurred the corners. With a DSLR, one can get the right shot. Also, had I shot it straight ahead the effect would've been better. For that, the door had to be shut.

These are the last two windows. The corner is less bright hence the contrast is better. The effect would be better when Sun is lower, around 4-30 or 5-00 pm.

These windows are on the eastern side. Squares, rhombus and stepped rhombus. There are few more patterns which aren't included here.

I'll end this part with a view of the Mukhmantapa. The hall has a central Mantapa supported by four columns, ten columns around the four and more columns along the periphery wall. The columns are quite high, floor to ceiling height should be 14 to 15 feet. The hall is quite spacious and it was cool despite the hot weather outside. These columns have been standing here, bearing the load of beams and roof for the last 500 years.

This article will continue in the following post- Ikkeri Aghoreshvara Devastana - part 3.
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