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SCULPTURAL ART OF BELUR
TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE SERIES
SADHISH SHARMA
B.Tech Temple Architecture
M.A. Archaeology

? A temple dedicated to Vishnu built by Hoysala dynasty in 12th century C.E.
? Located at Belur, Hassan District, Karnataka.
? Saivite, Vaisnavite, Jaina and Buddhist sculptures under the same roof.
? Famous for the finely carved pillars, Bracket figures, Navaranga mandapa and series of sculptures
on the outer walls.
? Mahabharata and Ramayana stories are depicted in sculptural form in the outer walls.
? The bracket figures are found with the artisan’s name and place.
? Architectural and Sculptural marvel of the Hoysala period and holds a unique place in Indian Art.
BELUR CHENNAKESHAVA TEMPLE

? Madanika or Shilabalika is depicted as talking to a pet parrot.
? In Kannada Shuka – parrot, bashini – lady in conversation.
? The Madanika is holding the parrot in the chest level on her
left hand standing in a tribangha posture.
? Three attendees are depicted below watching her with parrot.
? The ornamentation and the jewelry along with the prabha on
the backside are intricate and beautiful.
Shuka Bashini. ??????????
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Shuka Bashini. ??????????

? Madanika shown in dancing pose at a graceful stance.
? The left hand is half broken.
? She is shown with four musicians at the bottom.
? Two of them are playing drum at the left bottom.
? On the right bottom, one is playing tāla and other with
flute.
? The dressing and jewelry are intricately carved.
? This is adorned above the pillar on left side of the main
entrance.
? The name of the sculptor is mentioned below the figure in
Kannada script.
Natya sundari. ????? ???????

Darpana sundari. ????? ????????
? It is also known as the lady with mirror.
? In Kannada, Darpana – mirror, Sundari – beautiful
lady.
? A lady enjoying her own beauty by looking into a
mirror.
? She is assisted with three small women below.
? It is believed that the main inspiration of this sculpture
was the magnificent beauty of Shantala Devi, the
Queen of King Vishnuvardhana, the builder of this
temple.
? It is a bracket figure mounted on a pillar at the main
entrance.

Darpana sundari. ????? ????????
Three attendees at the bottom
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Tribhangi. ????????? ?
? Madanika or Sundari in tribhanga dancing pose.
? Tri – three, bhanga – bend. Tribangha is a complicated dance
pose as per the Natyasastra and Silpasastra.
? The knee, waist and neck are the three parts of body bent to
give a S-like pose.
? This sculpture is finely carved by the sculptor showcasing the
tribhanga pose with a damaru on the hands.
? This is adorned in one of the pillars of the Navaranga.

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? ssphotographyTribhangi. ????????? ?

Natya Sundari playing drum
? This Madanika is shown in Narthaki (dancer) pose
with a classical dancing stance.
? It is shown playing a drum with a stick.
? Two musicians accompanying her each playing a dolu.
? The drapery and jewelry are intricate and beautiful.
? The name of the sculptor is engraved on the bottom in
Kannada script.
? This Madanika is mounted on the middle pillar of the
south-side exterior wall

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? Sundari is depicted as a huntress holding a bow and aiming
at a prey.
? She is supported with an assistant holding arrows in one
hand and a deer in another.
? The ornaments and the floral designs at the background are
finely carved.
? Two tiny pigeons are carved near the bow on the left top.
? The name of the sculptor is carved below in Kannada script.
Huntress. ?????????

Huntress. ?????????
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Kesha sundari. ?? ? ????????
? Kesha- hair, sundari – beautiful lady, in Kannada.
? This Madanika is shown holding her long hair while
her two attendees assist to style it.
? This Sundari is also known as Kabari nishodhini -
???? ?????????
? The background has a finely carved creeper.
? The name of the sculptor is carved in Kannada script
at the bottom.

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Kesha sundari. ?? ? ????????

Shalabhanjika. ??????????
? This sculpture shows the depiction of a Shalabhanjika
or Kapi Chaste trying to chase the monkey from its
mischief with a small branch on hand.
? It is sculpted semi-nude with an annoying expression
on the face.
? The ornaments are beautifully carved.
? The legs are shown webbed to hide her nudity.
? The name of the sculptor is mentioned below in
Kannada script.

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Natya sundari. ????? ????????
? A Madanika is depicted in dancing pose with two
musicians at the bottom.
? One leg is half-bent and the other one is lifted up,
? The fine element of this panel is the lizard chasing a
fly on the background.
? The dressing and jewelery are intricately carved.
? It is adorned in one of the pillar bracket of navaranga.

Natya sundari. ????? ????????
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Betegārthi. Huntress. ????????
? This sundari is depicted as a huntress holding a bow on
her left hand and a bow on right hand (only a small piece
exists).
? She is depicted with an expression of a successful hunt.
? Lady on the right bottom is carrying a deer (hunt).
? Lady on the left bottom is carrying a bow and getting
assistance from a male to pluck out the thorn from her
feet.
? The ornaments and the floral designs at the background
are finely carved.

Betegārthi. Huntress. ????????

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Sculptural art of Belur

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