The aisles of the mandapa (pillared hall) of the Bhandasar Temple have a curved arch ceiling with bands of floral motifs on the corner, and the rectangular portion is filled with blue cloud-like designs. In contrast to the multicoloured dome at the centre of the mandapa, this blue rectangular ceiling stands out.
The northern side of the mandapa (pillared hall) of the Bhandasar Temple has two lateral transepts instead of the doorways on the south side. One of these is used as the priest’s room. Another one has a miniature shrine added to it. Since the Bhandasar Temple has been renovated several times, the interior spaces have undergone significant changes. Upto the level of the antarala (antechamber), the temple portions are of the earlier period, however, the mandapa (pillared hall) has undergone timely reconstructions. The intermediate projection of the temple has icons of celestial damsels and the corner projections have ashtadikpalas (eight cardinal deities).
The south side elevation of the exterior walls of the Bhandasar Temple and the side shrine from the temple complex. A high plinth supports the exterior walls of the temple. The plinth details of slender fluted pilasters on the corner are characteristic of Mughal period architecture.
Seen here is the balcony atop the entrance gateway of the Bhandasar Temple. This balcony is semi-open with slender pilasters and a Bengal arch roofing. The ornamental cartouches on the small walls of the balcony are a feature of Rajput architecture.
Details of the enclosure wall of the Bhandasar Temple Complex. The floral pattern merlons are only found on the east-facing enclosure wall. These are painted red to resemble brickwork probably.
Details of the shekhari type (multi-spired) shikhara (superstructure) of the Bhandasar Temple. The bands on the cardinal directions of the shikhara have three rows of aedicules, which are miniatures of the actual shikhara. At the bottom of these miniature shikharas are motifs of elephants and vyala (mythical composite figures). At the topmost level, all these vertical bands are capped by a ribbed disc known as the amalaka.
The enclosure wall and the main entrance gateway are designed like Nagarkhana. This is the sole entrance to the Bhandasar Temple Complex, which can be reached via a flight of steps. The mulaprasada (main temple) is towering inside the enclosure wall.
Main entrance opening of the gateway with an elaborate dwarashakha (architrave or doorjamb). The lintel of this entrance has an image of a Jina and floral motifs on the band above the lintel. Inside the foliated arch design that frames the gateway, there is an inscription which provides the date of the temple's construction. The inscription, on the entrance gate, above the lintel, states that in 1464/1514 CE (VS 1521/71) the Bhandaprasada was built during the reign of Rao Lunkaran. The date is not clear. The inscription is copied here from the inscription in the antarala (antechamber) of the temple.
Close-up of the inscription on the entrance gate, above the lintel. The inscription states that in 1464/1514 CE (VS 1521/71) the Bhandaprasada was built during the reign of Rao Lunkaran. The date is not clear. The inscription is copied here from the inscription in the antarala (antechamber) of the temple.
The foliated archway with fluted pilaster column motifs on either side leads into the temple. Beyond the archway are two transepts puncturing the inner walls of the entrance gateway.