Pattangal temples of Karnataka: Highlight their architectural eminence and cultural narratives

Navrang India April 06, 2025

.Pattangal monuments, Karnatakastoriesbysoumya.com

The growth of temple architecture of The  Pattadakal group of monuments of Karnataka for the first time shows a  visible departure from the traditional one being followed in this part of Karnataka. The unesco recognized group includes mostly  Hindu temples dedicated to one of the trinity gods Shiva along with a Jaina temple implying the presence of followers of jainism in this part. 

The innovative Chaulika rulers carefully and harmoniously blended the north Indian temple design Rekha- Nagara and the southern one Davida, the latter is characteristic of a pyramidal type ( similar to holy mount Kailash) tower with a dome like a feature at top. The negara type exhibits ornamentations in both directions horizontal and vatical with a sort of truncated tower. Outer wall have amazing decorations in the form of small images in the niches, etc; the themes  taken from the Hindu epics. 

This new approach in temple design makes the stunning monuments  a subject of research among the researchers. you can not miss the  
 sculptural narratives and architectural eminence of Pattangal monuments including those at Aihole and Badami ( 50 km from this place and younger in age) that collectively form the  the "Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture and its fusion"

Below are listed  various temples in the Pattangal monuments with brief descriptions:  

Virupaksha Temple (745 AD):  

Virupaksha temple  stepstogether.in

Virupaksha tmple karnatakatourism.org

The grandest, Virupaksha Temple, built by Queen Lokamahadevi, is complete Dravid style with  typical Gopura (Tower) which is ornate and some tiers have niches with wide base (resebling Kalisha), likely taking inspiration from the Kailasa Temple at Ellora. Intricate carvings depict scenes from the Hindu epics; the nandi  pavilion faces the main shrine as in other temple. The temple has many entrances.  

Virupaksha temple Nandi(bull) pavilion facebook.com

According to the stone inscriptions the name of the main architect is "Gunda Anivaritacharya"  and king Vikramaditya to honor him  gave perijereppu patta.The queen on her part gave grants to the Temple musicians. We also get to about the life of the society and the people in the 8th CE. Like other temples of Pattangal the east facing temple is centered around Garbhagriha which is square in plan. there are carvings on the sanctum walls and also in the hall (madapa). The carving include images  and themes from of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism.  

Mallikarjuna Temple (745 AD): 

Mallikarjuna temple,Pattangal karnatakatourism.org

Mallikarjuna temple,Pattangal,KA

The Mallikarjuna Temple, also in Dravida style, commissioned by another queen. Though smaller, its detailed carvings of the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Panchatantra stories echo the Virupaksha grandeur and its sanctity.  Built by Vikramaditya's second queen, Rani Trilokyamahadevi, to celebrate the victory over the Pallavas of kanchipuram (now in Tamil Nadu,. the temple, similar in design to the Virupaksha Temple, has a four-storeyed vimana and a circular griva (neck) topped by a shikhara.   Included in this temple are  well  sculpted images  of Lingodbhava, Nataraja, Ravananugraha, and Ugra Narasimha.   The temple complex includes a large prakara (enclosure wall) and a four-pillared Nandi mandapa 

 Jain Narayana Temple (9th century AD):Constructed during the Rashtrakuta period by either King Amoghavarsha I or his successor Krishna II.  The temple is dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankara, Parshvanatha, and showcases the Dravidian architectural style.  

Kashi Vishwanatha Temple (8th century AD):   

/Kasi Viswanathar temple, KAupload.wikimedia.org

 Above image: Kashi Vishwanatha temple with Nandi facing the sanctum. Pattankal.  image credit.. Maheshwaran S - Own work

The Kashi Vishwanatha Temple, another Nagara gem, boasts a striking shikhara and an interior ceiling with Dikpalas surrounding Shiva and Parvati.

Built in the Nagara style by the Rashtrakutas, this temple is renowned for its beautifully carved female figures on the pillars of the inner passage.  Only the sanctum and a passage remain intact. 

 Chandrashekhara temple  (8th-9th CE): 

Pattangal, KA, Chandrase\hekara temple /upload.wikimedia.org

Above image. Chandrashekhara Temple:  A small shrine with a Shivalinga with Nandi (on a platform), located adjacent to the Sangameshwara Temple. image credit. MP Bharath Kumar 

Chandrashekhara temple  (8th-9th CE) is a small east facing temple without a tower, but with a garbhagriha,a Shiva linga and a closed hall; Detailed Pilasters decorate the exterior walls of the temple.A devakostha (niche) in present the walls on either side of the sanctum. The temple lacks a lintel, but Dwarapals has  features a dvarapala (guardian) on each side of the entrance

Sangameshwara temple (Vijayeswara temple):

Pattangal, KA Sangameshwara Temple.pixels.com  

Sangameshwara temple (Vijayeswara temple) one of the oldest, built in Dravida style  is a large, Dravida style . From the inscriptions the date can be between   720 CE and 733 CE, the  correct date is a subject of debate among researchers.   The temple is left unfinished, the reason could be due to.the demise of  its patron king, Vijayaditya, in 734 CE 

The inscriptions found in this and other temples mention the names of sponsor  from different centuries, including those of Hindu queens,. This points ot the support from people who were keen to       promote different approaches temple architecture and arts

 Galaganatha Temple (8th century AD):  

 Pattangal, KA Galaganatha Temple 

Above image image: The Galaganatha Temple,   Pattangal, KA
   uploadwkimedia.org . image credit. Ms Sarah Welch

The Galaganatha Temple, in Nagara style, features a curvilinear shikhara. Though partially ruined, its sculpture of Shiva slaying Andhakasura remains significant.

Built in the Rekha Nagara style and features intricate stone sculptures depicting Lord Shiva slaying the demon Andhakasura.  The temple has a linga in the sanctum, surrounded by a circular pathway with niches featuring deities like Kubera and Gajalakshmi. 

Kadasiddheshwara and Jambulingeshwara Temples 7th century AD)


Kadasiddheswara temple,Pattangal

Above image: Ardhanarishvara (left half Shiva, right half Parvati) at the Kadasiddeshwar temple. Uploadwikipedia.org .Image credit: Ms. Sarah Welsh.

Pattangal,KA Jambulinga Temple upload.wikimedia.org 

Above image: The Nataraja sukanasa on Jambu Lingeshwara temple spire. image credit:. P4psk - Own work.

(Both temples are built in the Nagara style, with the Jambulinga Temple located behind the Galaganatha Temple. The Jambulinga Temple features a panel of Shiva dancing with Nandi and Parvati, while the Kadasiddeshwar Temple has a stone image of Shiva holding a trishula (trident).  

The smaller Jambulinga Temple and Kadasiddeshwar Temple also exhibit Nagara shikharas and detailed doorway carvings of Shiva-Parvati flanked by Brahma and Vishnu.

 Papanatha Temple (680 AD):  

Papanatha temple, Pattanga,KA

Above image: The Papanatha Temple,Pattangal, Karnataka. It is among a cluster of eight monuments.Uploadwikipedia.org.   Image credit: Meesanjay - Own work

The Papanatha Temple carefully uniquely blends Nagara and Dravida styles. Its elongated form and intricate carvings, including narrative panels, mark a distinct phase. It represents  early experiment by the Chalukyan architects in fusing the north Indian Nagara style with the south Indian Dravidian style predominantly found in Tamil and Andhra states along with south eastern parts of Karnataka.. The impressive feature is the stone hall with 12 ornate tall pillars supporting the ceiling. The minute carvings include episodes from the mythological epics of the Ramayana and Mahabharata.   The sanctum has a unique rekha-nagara tower over it, The sculptures carved here are closely similar  to those of the Navabrahma temple at Alampur in Andhra Pradesh.  

Other Monuments and Inscriptions  Besides these temples, there are several other shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, which indicate that Pattadakal was once a major center of Shaivism. An inscription in Kannada dated to 1162 mentions the trident symbol on the pillars of the Virupaksha, Sangameshwara, and Mallikarjuna temples and refers to a gift of land by Jnana Shivacharya, a Shaiva ascetic..

Evolution of Architecture   The temples at Pattadakal represent a harmonious blend of the northern Nagara and southern Dravidian architectural styles, showcasing the best of both traditions. The earlier temples like Sangameshwara and Kadasiddheshwara display simpler forms, while later constructions like Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna exhibit elaborate carvings and a more refined architectural style. This synthesis continued under the Rashtrakutas and later under the Kalyani Chalukyas.

Modern-Day Pattadakal  Today, Pattadakal stands as a remarkable example of India's architectural heritage and draws visitors from around the world. The site, along with nearby Badami and Aihole, continues to be studied for its unique contributions to Indian temple architecture and the rich history of the Chalukya dynasty.