Model Shrine

Chennakeshava Temple, Belur

Model shrines flank the stairs leading up to the temple entrances (previous page). The sitting man, partially visible at the left edge of the photo, provides a sense of scale. Horned lions (vyalas) and elephants decorate the "wings" on either side of the shrine entrance.

It is tempting to speculate that the original temple roof may have been intended to look like this example, although there is no real proof one way or the other.