Kaladarshana - Ancient and Medieval Historical Indian Architecture and Art - Palampet

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Sanctuary Entrance
Elaborate sculpture in polished granite also surrounds the santuary entrance. Groups of shalabhanjikas stand at the base in exaggerated tribhanga poses, all with curiously elongated faces and bodies (like the mandapa bracket madanikas). Above them, three columns of foliage circles rise to the top, each circle containing figures of dancers (centre) and musicians. This constitutes a pierced screen that lets light and air into the ardhamandapa. To the right of this is a multisection pilaster with octagonal, square and circular sections, as the base of which is a Venugopala image. A wide overhanging eave covers the entrance, above which is a lintel panel with an ornate Daksha Samvaram scene with Nataraja at the centre. The panel below the threshold is also carved, a diety at the centre, surrounded by maidens.