Sculptural reliefs around the Navaranga outer wall

The exterior wall surrounding the Navarnaga has four lateral sections between the main entrance and the southern entrance. Likewise, there are four lateral sections between the main facade and the north entrance because of the east-west symmetry.

Separated by pillars, the consecutive lateral sections are at right angles to each other. In addition to the end pillars, there is a pillar in the middle of these lateral sections. Mounted on these pillars just below the eaves are the bracket figures. The stone screens, called the jālandharas, occupy space between two pillars.

Known as the jālandhara, the perforated stone window is a unique element of the Dravida style architecture and is a common feature in Chalukya and Hoysala temples. The perforations allow light and air into the mantapa (covered hall). When the temple was built, the Navaranga was an open mantapa without enclosures. King Veera Ballala II (1173 – 1220 CE), a grandson of King Vishnuvardhana, got the Navaranga convered with the jālandharas, most likely for security purposes.

Along with safety, the beautiful patterns of the perforations and the carvings on the Jalandharas provide great aesthetic value. While most Jalandharas are simply geometric patterns, some jālandharas are carved with themes from the Hindu epics and ancient Indian texts, such as the Puranas.

Here are some of the noteworthy sculptural reliefs and carving on the jālandharas from the scriptures:

the reclining Vishnu relief is finely carved with great details. Vishnu in this relief is portrayed with four hands and is wearing a beautiful dress and a variety of jewelry all over the body. He is lying down in a relaxed manner on Adishesha, the seven-headed king of serpents, who appears to be floating on an ocean. Vishnu’s facial expression also shows his relaxed mood as his wife Lakshmi massages his left foot.

This relief also depicts the birth of Brahma, the creator of the Universe in Hindu scriptures. This particular story appears in a set of scriptures called the Puranas. Here Lord Brahma is attached to a lotus flower that is emerging from Vishnu’s navel. The lotus flower acts as the umbilical cord of Brahma.