Doddabasappa Temple

The temple interior is a standard construction and consists of a sanctum (cella), a vestibule (antarala) and a main mantapa (also called navaranga or hall).

[6] The Doddabasappa temple marks the mature development of the Chalukyan art which originated from basic dravida architecture of South India.

Its departure from conventional dravida plan used in the Virupaksha temple in Pattadakal is so extreme that it would be very difficult to find similarities without detailed examination.

[7] The entrance to the shrine has above it a decorative architrave with space for images (now missing) of the Hindu Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

[7] The entrance to the sanctum is elaborately decorated on either side with designs that are floral containing tiny images of dancers, musicians and even a mithuna couple (Gemini).

Dodda Basappa Temple at Dambal , a unique 24-pointed, uninterrupted stellate (star-shaped), seven-tiered dravida plan, 12th century CE
Twenty-four pointed stellate plan of vimana of Dodda Basappa Temple in Dambal , 12th century CE
Reliefs on the walls of the temple at Dodda Basappa Dambal, 1897
Wall relief in projections and recesses: Kirtimukha , Pilasters and dravida style miniature towers ( aedicule )
Half pillar supports the roof of the porch
Nandi (vehicle of Shiva-bull) facing shrine through the eastern doorway