In this imaginary travel-log let us visit Galaganatha Temple of Pattadakal with the real characters of Gundan Maharaj, Baldeva Maharaj, Vikramaditya-II and his queens.
Recap …
In the previous articles, we read that the queens of Vikramaditya-II wanted to construct grand temples of Lord Shiva and they choose Pattadakal for the purpose.
On reaching Pattadakal they were taken on the existing temple complex tour by Gundan Maharaj (the architect) and his team. In the earlier article, they visited Kadasiddeshwara and Jambulingeshwara Temples and would be taken on the tour of Galaganatha Temple in this log.
Gundan Maharaj – Let us now move to the temple in front of the Jambulingeshwara temple – the Galaganatha Temple.
The architectural style of Galaganatha Temple, Pattadakal
Gundan Maharaj – Maharaj, this temple was commissioned by your great grandfather, Vinayaditya.
It is build in exemplary Nagara style and carries no Dravidian architectural elements. The Nagara style tower of this temple is impressively stylistic, much better than the earlier rudimentary ones.
Please note the patterns of beautifully carved ribbed amalaka occurring alternatively with the window designs, in all the four corners of the vimana.
The finial of the vimana is an auspicious jar kept on a big stone sculpted amalaka, which is composed in two pieces. The central band is with an ascending tiers of full gavaksha motifs alternating with the split gavaksha.
Inside Galaganatha Temple, Pattadakal
Baldeva Maharaj – The garbhgrih of the temple is largest among all the temples in Pattadakal. The sakhas of the garbhgrih carry creeper decors and vegetal motifs. Four-armed Natya-Shiva is carved on the center of the door lintel.
Maharani – Gundan Maharaj, I am noticing that the shiva-linga in the garbhgriha is not at the center.
Gundan Maharaj – I am happy to see your keen observation. Actually, as per the agamic rules, the Shiva-linga should not be installed in the center of the sanctum; it should be installed with a deviation of five cm towards North-East for a square of a side of 1 m.
Gundan Maharaj (continues) – This is the first temple in Patadakkal in which the concept of pradikshina-path (circumambulatory around sanctuary) was introduced.
The pradikshina-path is broad and is well-lit by the sunlight entering in from the lattice window. This temple would have been much more spectacular, but because of some unforeseen reasons further work had to be stopped before it was complete.
Exteriors of Galaganatha Temple, Pattadakal
Gundan Maharaj– Let us move around the temple and see the carvings on the exterior of the temple. This temple has porches on all its three sides. These porches are called Ghana-Dwars and have full-fledged portico like projection with a colossal idol of God at the back-wall.
Baldeva Maharaj – Let us stop and enjoy the beauty of Andhakasurvadha panel on the southern porch.
The beauty of the panel is that it is carved in two-dimensions. In the upper portion, Andhakasur, the demon, is shown pierced by Shiva’s trident, realizing his mistake of putting evil eyes on Devi Parvati, the demon seeks forgiveness and worships Shiva.
Shiva – the Bholenath – not only forgives him but blesses him by putting his foot over him, and makes him part of his ganas. In the lower portion of the panel the personage under Shiva’s foot is Andhakasura only.
Baldeva Maharaj (Continues …) – Notice that in this panel, Shiva is carved with eight arms. The right lower most and left top-most are piercing the trident across demon.
The hands are carved in a manner that they show the power behind the action. The upper right hand is shown holding a sword, edge of this sword is seen from behind Shiva’s matted hairs.
Third lower right hand holds a snake and corresponding left hand holds a flag. The remaining lowest hands are on his lap showing his extreme confidence and power.
The jatamukuta-dhari Shiva has adorned himself with a garland of skulls, another garland of skulls is passing over his body in the fashion of yagnopavita – the sacred thread.
Gundan Maharaj – This sculpture is carved between perforated windows. See how beautifully the architect has blended the carving with the solution of lighting inside the ambulatory.
Also, please appreciate the triangular-crest over the carving. Two of the circular medallions carry the human faces. The remaining two portico in west and north unfortunately remained empty.
This is all about the Galaganatha Temple. In the next log we would be visiting the Sangameshwara temple of the Pattadakal.
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