ABOUT

The gateway at the entrance to the Galaganatha Temple Group is noteworthy. Pillars are embellished with the pot and the foliage motif and the lintel is sculpted with foliated makaras. In Hindu mythology, makara, a mythical creature which is a water monster, is the vahana or vehicle of Ganga and Varuna. It is also the insignia of love god Kamadeva. The temples have a curvilinear shikara or spire about the Garba Griha or sanctum sanctorum, and images of the deities of Rivers Ganga and Yamuna at the entrance to the shrine. This is a typical feature of Chalukyan architecture. The Galaganatha Temple enshrining Shiva as a presiding deity. The huge temple is east facing and situated along River Tungabhadra. There is a huge Shiva Linga in a closed hall here which is known as Sparsha Linga. The basement of the temple is unusually pyramidal and there is a huge open hall. The gopura or tower is embellished with plain architectural elements but the wall panels at the back of the hall are adorned with remarkable decorations. There are numerous niches in the interior of the temple with figural sculptures including that of Lord Ganesha.