This group of temples dates back to c. 9th century CE. It is situated on the eastern margin of the lake, consists of eight temples. The main temple is composed of work of different periods. The closed hall and the shrine are of the earliest work, while the outer open hall is of a much later time. In the inner hall, there are deep heavy architrave, above the columns, divides the all, as in the old Chalukyan temples, into a lofty central nave and two lower side aisles.Although the central raised floor would make it appear as if the interior was arranged as in later temples. The ceiling of the nave is divided into three bays by shallow cross beams each being decorated with a lotus rosette. Four perforated geometric patterned windows, which have pretty surface, tracery over the outside, admit dim light into the hall. At the foot of the shrine doorway, on either side, is a female figure, that on the right being Ganga on makaraandthe other Yamuna upon her tortoise. Within the shrine is placed a linga of later period. The temple has been left unfinished, the ornament on the shikhara being mostly only blocked out. There is an inscription on the north wall of the temple outside, in characters of c. 9th – 10th century CEwhich records a grant of land to the venerable Sridharbuteswara of the lineage of Sri Paingara. The porch (mukhamandapa) of this temple originally consisted of two pillared projections. This was enlarged by the addition of four central and ten side pillars into an open pillared porch with a platform for the Nandi. The main temple with the porch measures 76’ x 27’.The roof of the sabhamandapa is formed by four Kutasikharas with a salashikhara in between. Besides this temple, there are seven other shrines of no particular architectural merit. On the northern side, a later shrine abuts the temple wall and consist images of Ganesha and Mahishasuramardini. Gajalakshmi is seen on the door lintel and there are dwarapalas on either side of the shrine door.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

Dharwad Circle

The Bhutnath group of temples on the east margin of the tank

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The Bhutnath group of temples on the east margin of the tank

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