Entrance

"Thousand-Pillared" Temple, 1163

The south-facing entrance porch, an attached mandapa, is flanked by sculptures of a bull and an elephant, representing auspicious concepts such as strength, protection, and perhaps also allegiance. The columns are carved in lock-nut style (compare: Mallikarjuna temples, Badami, 11th century.) Carved shapes, on the underside of the roof, represent wooden beams and brackets.