Stone step-ladders in Chalukyan temples

Ancient Indian temples have dazzled us with their qualities such as being realistic, creative, beautiful, delicate, complex, precise, accurate, megalithic, or monolithic. The stone sculptures, be it fused or separate or an assembly, are thought provoking and awe-inspiring. They've made us wonder what kind of intellect, talent & effort were behind those creations. At times we might've wondered what was the need to put n so much effort to produce such complex designs. Wouldn't a simpler sculpture done? Do the complex forms have a function or is it just aesthetics? I think, the complex sculptures and precise assemblies definitely had a purpose which we humans are yet to realize. Somehow most of us are incapable of going beyond what meets our eyes.

Besides temples & religious idols, ancient people used stones to build structures like watch towers, light towers, shelters (Mantapa), arches (Torana), gateways, seats, stages and stepped wells. The purposes of which are obvious. They also made utility items like inscription slabs, water troughs, water ducts, and grinding wheels, oil mills and even step-ladders which were used for  day-to-day chores. One more thing I have to mention here is stone balls made for gymnasiums (Garadi Mane). So many things from stones and we haven't gone farther into history when people used stone spears & axes.

Present day people might've seen most of the things mentioned earlier but in those people many might not have seen stone ladders because they are out of the common. I've seen four of them till now, all of them at Chalukyan temples at Pattadakal and Aihole.

Here are the four stone step-ladders, the first one at Kunti Gudi, Aihole. This monolithic ladder made of sandstone is approximately 13' tall, 1.25' wide, has 8 steps and weighs about a ton.

 

The ladder leans on the main temple of this 4-temple complex. This ladder, and columns in these temples are free standing, all are engineered for stability. When I try to nudge it, it doesn't budge a micron. Anyone climbing it can do so confidently, without a worry. Before we move on to the next one, I would like to mention that all these ladders are made of monolithic sandstone blocks.

The second one is at Chalukya Shiva Gudi (formerly Lad Khan Gudi) inside Durga Gudi complex, Aihole. This ladder is approx 10' tall, 1' wide and weighs 500 kg. Of the four ladders, this is the rough looking one. This ladder is kept in the right hand side of the temple's verandah. It leans on a beam and its top is aligned to a manhole in the roof.  

This Shivalaya design is unusual since a small chamber is present instead of a solid Shikhara over the Garbhagudi. To reach the chamber above, one has to take the ladder and go to the roof.

The next one is from Charanti Mata. This picture was taken way back in April 2011. I'm sure if this ladder still remains here or if it has been moved to a museum. This ladder is somewhat of the same size as the previous one, but finish is better.

Charanti Mata is a group of six temples, three of which are connected together with Mantapas. The largest structure here is a Jain Basadi with twin Garbhagudi. The layout of this complex seems disorganized however some of the sculptures here are marvelous pieces of art. Also within the complex is a Thoranagallu.

The last one is at Jaina Narayana Gudi at Pattadakal. Its physical attributes are close to the ladder of Kunti Gudi complex. This ladder finish is better and seems like the design has been optimized. To my knowledge this ladder is placed in the front right corner of the Sabha Mantapa.

This is a completely restored structure situated outside Pattadakal temple complex. These two pictures were shot in 2010. I haven't been to this Basadi again.

With every visit to Badami-Pattadakal-Mahakoota-Siddanakolla-Aihole realm, there has always been a surprise of some new discovery. Hoping there are more stone ladders unknown to me and it would be nice to discover them.

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