On the proper left side of the doorframe, the river Goddess Yamuna is depicted standing on a pedestal, with her vahana (mount), a kachhapa (tortoise), shown on the same pedestal. Next to her, a Shaiva dvarapala (door guardian) is depicted with his two attendants, one male and one female. Beneath this, a niche is carved, featuring a figure of Kartikeya with three heads, holding his weapon, the spear, in front.
The mukhamandapa (front porch) is an open hall with a magnificent entrance dominated by a makara-torana (ornamental arch adorned with intricate carvings of mythical crocodile creatures). The pillars of the mukhamandapa are carved with the figures of sursundaris (celestial maidens) and passionate couples, symbolizing the worldly realm. This stands in contrast to the main sanctum where the divine resides in darkness.
The centre of the rangamandapa (open type of pillared hall) has a low-raised platform with pillars that support the central ceiling. Presently, a Shiva linga without a yonipatta (womb-shaped base for the linga) is placed at the center of this square platform. The Shiva linga may have been a later addition to the original design of the rangamandapa.
Interestingly, the floor of the mukhamandapa (front porch) of the Ghateshwar Temple is engraved with numerous inscriptions. On paleographic grounds, it can be observed that the inscriptions on the floor are heterogeneous and belong to different periods. Their lack of sequence or order further suggests that they belong to different time periods.
The garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) is comparatively plain and simple, except for the ceiling, which has a square shape with four-armed bharavakas (weight bearers) positioned at each corner. Their upper arms are raised upward to support the roof, while their lower arms carry weapons and an attribute. The square shape of the ceiling transitions into a circle, resembling a full-blown lotus, with a lotus bud hanging from the centre.
The shafts of the front pillars are adorned with loops of bells and hanging bells. The pillars are adorned with the graceful standing figures of sursundaris (celestial maidens) which are currently broken and damaged. The figural panel at the top of the cushion abacus depicts sursundaris, dancers, and couples.
The ceilings of the rangamandapa (open type of pillared hall) are intricately carved, presenting a variety of ceiling types and motifs. One of the rectangular ceilings depicts a full-blown lotus, with the figure of a divine couple at the centre. The male deity is shown seated, holding his attributes and embracing his consort, who is shown seated in his lap. The central flower is surrounded by four small flowers, each also depicting a divine figure at the centre.
A Nandi is placed just outside the mukhamandapa (front porch), in the space between the separate rangamandapa (open type of pillared hall) and mukhamandapa. The mukhamandapa has pillars and a makara-torana (ornamental arch adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures) at the front. The pillars consist of mouldings at the base, shaft, and cushion abacus topped by panels that support the brackets.
The rangamandapa (open type of pillared hall) is comprised of a multitude of heavy, ornately carved pillars that support the ceiling, crafted in two distinct styles. The outer pillars feature a square base which turns into faceted shapes and transitions into a circular shaft. in contrast, the innermost pillars maintain a square shape and display depictions of deities on the panels at the top, supporting the brackets. There is a Shiva linga at the centre of the hall.
The mulaprasada (main shrine) has a mukhamandapa (front porch), antarala (vestibule or antechamber), and garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The pillared hall is open with a pyramidal shikhara (superstructure). It leads to the antarala and the garbhagriha is a pancharatha (with five rathas or projections on each side) structure with a latina shikhara (mono-spired superstructure) which comprises a sukanasa (antefix above the roof of the kapila) at the front, an amalaka (a crowning member of the latina shikhara shaped like a myrobalan fruit) and a kalasha (pitcher finial) at the top.