Kaitabheshvara Temple, Kubatur – The Temple

Kaitabheshvara Temple, Kubatur – The Temple

The temple is facing towards east and stands over a platform. The temple is constructed in ekakuta (single shrine) style. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and navaranga. The navaranga has a staggered square plan and can be entered from five sides; two lateral and one each in the north, south and east. The navaranga is large and its ceiling is supported by massive pillars.

The pillars of the navaranga are characteristically circular, polished and lathe-turned, with those pillars that are mounted on a platform (jagati) being fluted and shorter in height. The ceilings are ornate and the typical Hoysala style. The navaranga is enclosed by parapet walls on all sides. The pillars of the mandapa are highly ornamented and measures 11 feet in height.

A variety of miniature shrines are carved on these parapet walls. Interestingly, this temple has a very important inscription which refers to the Bhumija style of temple construction. Probably, this is the only inscription in whole India which refers to this particular temple style. There are four niches inside the mandapa. Two niches are at the either sides of the vestibule and two are on the opposite walls facing north and south respectively.

These niches house images of Sapta Matrikas, Ganesha, Naga and Vishnu. The walls of the shrine and vestibule stand on a base (adisthana) that is composed of five moldings. The doorjamb at the entrance to the vestibule and sanctum are typically ornate and Hoysala in character, with an image of Gajalakshmi on the lintel. The superstructure (shikara) over the sanctum is of four tiers. The superstructure over the shrine and its antrala are intact.

The shikara is crowned by a large domed roof (amalaka) and kalasha on top of it. The amalaka is largest sculptural piece in the temple. The antrala has a superstructure called sukhanasi. It looks like a shorter extension of the main tower. The parapet walls has decorative motifs and pilasters surmounted by miniature decorative pyramidal shaped turrets with gargoyle faced (kirtimukha) scrolls.

The seating area in the hall (kakshasana) is treated with floral decorations. The outer walls of the shrine and vestibule are decorated with pilasters of two types; full length pilasters that reach up to the heavy though inconspicuous eaves, and half-length pilasters that support miniature decorative towers (aedicula) of various kinds (such as latina and bhumija). There are several images placed above the eaves running around the temple.

Ashta Dikpalas (Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirti, Vayu, Varuna, Kubera and Ishana) are placed at their respective directions on the same level as other images. The noteworthy images are Ugra Narasimha, Varaha, Garuda, Keshava, Bhairava, Harihara, Brahma, Sadashiva, Tandava-Ganapati, Parvati, Uma-Maheshvara, Surya etc.