Ancient Temples & their Architecture Trikuteshwara Temple, in Gadag, Karnataka, India ✒ Dwarak One of the finest carvings on stone pillar of 11-12 century at Trikuteshwara Temple, in Gadag, Karnataka, India. It's still more beautiful even after its vandalized by invaders. The temple dates back to the Kalyani Chalukyas who ruled this region from around 1050 to 1200 CE. This temple architecture was planned by the great architect Amara Shilpi Jakanachari. The Badami Chalukyas were exponents of early architectural achievements in Deccan. Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal were their centers of art. They were succeeded by the Rashtrakutas and the Kalyani Chalukyas. The temple has chiseled stone screens and carved figurines. There is a shrine to Saraswati within the Trikuteshwara temple complex, with exquisite stone columns. Inclined slabs that serve as balcony seats are decorated with figurative panels and are overhung by steeply angled eaves. Inside the hall, the columns have figures arranged in shallow niches. The east sanctorum has three lingas representing Brahma, Maheshwara and Vishnu; the one to the south is dedicated to the goddess Saraswati. Just by the side is another temple dedicated to three devis — Saraswathi, Gayathri and Sharada. Only the statues are in a new style; the temple is in old architecture. A TO Z INDIA ● SEPTEMBER 2021 ● PAGE 19