Assignable to 11th – 12th century CE, this temple facing east, has two shrine chambers, one facing east and the other facing south with a common navaranga in the centre with pillared porches corresponding to the shrines, containing kakshasanas. The shrine facing east houses a sculpture of Goddess Banashankari while the other contains a linga on a pedestal. The doorjamb of the garbhagriha has panchashakha and the lintel contains Gajalakshmi. The top of the lintel is adorned with miniature Dravidian sikharas with Ganesha, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara on it. The lower portion of the door jambs are adorned with chouri bearers, Rati and Manmatha. The navaranga is supported by 16 pillars including the 4 lathe turned at centre. The central 4 pillars are exquisitely carved. There are Lakshmi, Bhairava, Nataraja, Brahma, Siva, Surya, Sarasvati, Manmatha, Kesava, Bhuvaraha, Narasimha, Ugranarasimha, Chamundi and Ganesha on the pillars. The exterior walls of the temples are relieved by pilasters and niches topped by miniature Dravida and Nagara sikharas. The sikhara on the main shrine is in ruins, while there is no sikhara above the other shrine.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

Dharwad Circle

Banashankari Devi Temple

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Banashankari Devi Temple

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