The ceiling of the mahamandapa (pillared hall) rests on eight elaborately carved tall pillars. Each pillar has a square base, transitioning into a shaft that changes from square to octagonal in the middle and finally becomes circular at the top. Above these are architectural moldings, a shaft that supports the capital, and carved bharvahakas (mythical flying load-bearing figures). Notably, the square portion of the shaft of each pillar in the mahamandapa is carved with a niche on each of its four faces. Within these niches are sculptures portraying various figures, including apsaras (celestial damsels), yogis (ascetic), or royal figures in acts of veneration and in one case, a four-armed Bhairav.
Location:
Tonk
Date_accepted:
2024-06-04T09:54:14Z
Modified:
2024-06-04T10:56:55Z
Type:
Image
Creator:
Temples of India Project Team
Contributor:
Anchit Jain
Publisher:
Jio Institute
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
References:
Chauhan dynasty, 12th century CE, Tonk, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Rajasthan, Bisaldeo Temple, Architecture, Vigraharaja IV, Banas river, Bisalpur, Gokarneshwara (Gokarnesvara) Mahadev, and Temple