Mallikarjuna Temple: A True Marvel of Dravidian Architecture

One out of the four Dravidian styles of architectural temples amongst the group of ten monuments in Pattadakal, The Mallikarjun temple is located on the west bank of the River Malaprabha.

Mallikarjuna Temple of Pattadakal; Image source: Trawell

One out of the four Dravidian styles of architectural temples amongst the group of ten monuments in Pattadakal, the Mallikarjun temple is located on the west bank of the River Malaprabha. Let us delve further into the story to know more about this marvel.

Also known as Trailokeshwara Maha Saila Prasada, Mallikarjuna temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is situated in the south of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, southwest of Sangameshwara Temple, and is near the Virupaksha Temple. This temple is part of the Pattadakal Group of Monuments (a UNESCO world heritage site). The monument is protected under the law and is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). River Malaprabha is a tributary of the river Krishna. The river flows from south to north and according to a legend, the river which flows towards the north direction is known as Uttaravahini*.*

The Mallikarjuna Temple is constructed during the rule of the Chalukyan Empire by the second wife of the Chalukya King Vikramaditya– Trailokyamahadevi.

Mallikarjuna Temple, along with Sangameshwara Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and Virupaksha Temple is built in the south Indian Dravidian style of architecture. These temples are distinctive from the other five temples, out of which four are constructed in the North Indian Rekha-Nagara style and one is a mixture of both North and South Indian architectural styles.

The Mallikarjuna Temple has a lot in common with the Virupaksha Temple as it was built during the same time and has quite a similar layout and design. Amidst the similarities between these two temples, the Mallikarjuna Temple has some architectural elements that make it different from the Virupaksha Temple.

The temple depicts South Indian Vimana-style architecture. The central sanctum (Garbha Griya) has a Shiva Linga. A small shrine of Goddess Durga is established in front of the sanctum. The goddess Durga is shown as Mahishasuramardini killing a demon. Inside the temple, a Nandi-Mandapa is situated. There sits Nandi (vehicle of Lord Shiva) facing the sanctum. The Nandi-Mandapa which is now partially damaged differs in detail from the one situated in its larger neighbouring temple – the Virupaksha temple. Inside the temple is a community hall (pillared Sabha Mandapa) and a huge gateway built in the Dravidian style of architecture.

The beautiful and unique features that distinguish the Malliarjuna Temple from Virupaksha Temple are a depiction of dancing Shiva (Nataraja*)* and that the roof of Mallikarjuna Temple is hemispherical in shape whereas the roof of Virupaksha Temple is square.

On the wall of the temple, one can see stone carvings depicting stories and legends of Hindu epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Mukhmandapas have been carved with tales from the epics and other ancient scriptures. There are legends of Hinduism specifically about Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism. Stories from Bhagavata Puranas and Panchatantra can also be seen carved on the community wall. The walls of the entire temple are gracefully covered with various legends of Hinduism found in different ancient texts and scriptures.

On the exterior part of the temple, there are several sculptures of Shaivism and Vaishnavism like Natesha and Ganjendramoksha. Just like other Hindu temples, Mallikarjuna temple also has carvings of Kama scenes of couples resembling the Ajanta and Ellora in some ways. It also has a stone carving of a single woman with different emotional expressions.

This temple was built in the mid-eighth century by the Chalukyan Empire. But in the 13th century, the temple along with other temples of the Pattadakal became the subject of plunder and raid by the Delhi Sultanate. It all ended with the rise of the Vijayanagara Empire. All the new additions made to the temple were done by the ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire.

The Mallikarjuna Temple is one of the astonishing examples of the Dravidian style of architecture in India. Each element of the temple is so beautiful that it is bound to charm you.