Temple Description

Facing east, this temple, constructed around A.D. 750, is a classic example of the refined rekha-nagara prasada style. Its layout includes a sanctum (garbhagriha) containing a linga and a vestibule (antarala), all encircled by a closed circumambulatory path (pradakshinapatha). Additionally, there is a hall (sabha-mandapa) and an entrance porch (mukhamandapa), though only the plinth remains of these mandapas today.

The temple stands on a plinth adorned with three intricate mouldings featuring playful dwarfs and chaitya-arch motifs. The outer walls of the circumambulatory path are mostly ruined, but the southern devakoshta pavilion survives. This pavilion features two round-shafted pillars with base and capital decorations of vases and foliage (ghata-pallava). The sculpture inside depicts Siva defeating Andhakasura, shown with eight arms, wearing a necklace of human skulls (munda-mala) and brandishing a trident (trisula). The windows beside this image are divided into squares and triangles by bars.

Interesting carvings can be found in the box-like projections on the eastern basement moulding. One box illustrates a story from the Panchatantra about a mischievous monkey, while another box features a two-faced bird, representing a different tale from the same text.

The northern superstructure (rekha-nagara shikhara), well-preserved and topped with an amalaka and kalasha, is a notable feature of the temple. This shikhara, with its three projecting bands that frame two recesses (triratha-shikhara) and ascending kapotas, kudus, and amalakas, resembles the superstructures of the Visvabrahma and other temples at Alampur in Andhra Pradesh. It also has a sukasana, though it is damaged.

The outer walls of the sanctum are adorned with niches (devakostas) formed by ornate pilasters, and these niches are flanked by finely detailed trefoil chaitya-window motifs on the lateral projections. The elaborate doorframe of the outer chamber, featuring five shakhas, displays river goddesses at the base and a dancing Siva on the lintel.