Harihara Temple, Billawar – The Temple

Harihara Temple, Billawar – The Temple

This is a west facing temple. The temple is a local variant of the Indo-Aryan style or North Indian temple architecture with little influences of Kashmir temple architecture. The Temple is built on a three feet high platform. The Temple is Navratha on plan and consists of a square sanctum internally crowned by curvilinear sikhara, Antarala and a pillared mandapa.

The Mandapa is collapsed. Only north and west wall of the Mandapa remains. A low wall has been constructed on the east side utilizing old materials. A square slab with lotus rosettes can be seen in the newly constructed east wall. This slab once might have been part of the central ceiling of the Mandapam.

The roof of the Mandapa might have been supported by four pillars. Presiding Deity is called as Mahabilvakeshwar / Harihara. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The Vimana over the sanctum is about 60 feet high. The wall portion has plain mouldings at the base and top.

It has niched shrines for Parsvadevatas on its central rathas and is studded with Dikpalas figures and rosettes in pedimented niches at the corners and flanking rathas. The Vimana is decorated with lotus motifs. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and five headed Lord Shiva (5-headed), Lord Ganesha and Lord Bhairava are the others idols worshipped in this Temple.