Temple_plan Jain_Temple,_Lakkundi

the open mantapa

according art historian adam hardy, architectural style of temple can classified later chalukya style, mainstream lakkundi school of mid-11th century late 11th century superstructure (shikhara) . temple has single shrine (ekakuta vimana) connected closed mantapa hall via vestibule (sukanasi or ardhamantapa) connected another, open mantapa. according art critic percy brown, these units found commonly in western chalukya temples. building material soapstone, according percy brown became standard in later hoysala architecture well. according art historians henry cousens , om prakash, conspicuous feature of western chalukya temples decrease in size of masonry , resulting decrease in overall height of temples compared built badami chalukyas @ pattadakal. result of shift in basic building material, sandstone more workable soapstone (chloritic shist). in coming decades, transformation lead vesara architecture toward increased ornamentation , articulation.

cousens categorizes tower on shrine dravidian (south indian) historian kamath feels more vesara because each tier encrusted motifs make tower more curvilinear . according cousens, overall structure proportioned tiers , finial (amalaka, kalasha) give superstructure majestic look. above cornice circular niches, each of holds image of jain saint (jaina) in relief, kirtimukha decoration above. walls of shrine have pilasters, spaces between them containing, in relief, pavilions, , miniature decorative towers (aedicula) on slender half pilasters. miniature towers have niches below them. overall, decorative ornamentation taken new level compared earlier temples.

sculpture

there 3 notable freestanding sculptures in temple. image of mahavira little on 4 feet tall, made of black polished stone , seated on lion throne (simhaasana) found outside temple. cousens feels may have been taken out , left there. saint has attendant on either side, holding chowri (a type of brush) in 1 hand fruit in another. exceptionally rendered image of god brahma stands in inner hall, , of goddess saraswati stands @ entrance vestibule. in each of 4 hands holds attribute; ankusa (elephant goad), petaled flower, book , citron. in addition these sculptures, relief of jaina carved on door lintel of sanctum , outer hall, , image of gajalakshmi (lakshmi elephants on either side) exists on entrance vestibule.