Karnataka > Mandya > Basaralu Temple
The Mallikarjuna Temple (also called as Basaralu Temple) at Basaralu is a good and highly ornate specimen of Hoysala architecture, built in the thirteenth century by Harihara Dannayaka, during the rule of the Hoysala King Narasimha II. Two fine elephants with animated appearance flank the doorway of the porch. Impressively worked images of a height of about two and a half feet, representing Gods and heroes, adorn the main wall above the basement. Sixteen handed Shiva dancing on Andhakasura's head, Durga with 22 arms and Saraswati, both in dancing postures, Ravana lifting the Kailasa, Arjuna shooting the fish target, Draupadi rushing forth with garland and Gajasura Mardana are some of the remarkable images which are particularly interesting. There are six friezes of sculptures depicting war elephants, horsemen, lions, swans and makaras and illustrating Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata and several puranic episodes.
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