The Someshwar Mahadeva Temple is a panchayatana (main shrine with four subsidiary shrines) temple. It is raised on a high plinth. The central shrine is dedicated to Shiva. It is surrounded by four minor shrines in four corners of the plinth, of which only two shrines are extant. As far as the two other minor shrines are concerned, only the remains of the plinth have been preserved. The entire complex can be approached via a flight of steps. At one point in time, a torana (arched gateway) might have stood at the entranceway, as indicated by the remains of the two pillar bases. In addition, there is also another fully preserved pillar to the right of the central shrine.
This is a closer view of the jangha (wall) of the subsidiary shrine in the northwestern corner of the Someshwar Mahadev temple complex. The wall of the pancharatha (with five vertical projections on each side) shrine is very ornate. The central bhadra (central projection) that faces west has a depiction of the Trivikrama form of Vishnu. The other projections have depictions of dancers, apsaras (celestial damsels), and dikpalas (deities for cardinal directions). The inclination of Vishnu imagery on the exterior wall indicates that the shrine must have been dedicated to Vishnu.
These memorial stones are found in an open space in front of the Mandaleshwar Mahadev Temple. Below the depiction of the human figure, there are a few inscription lines. The inscription is in the Sanskrit language and Devanagari script.
Seen here are all the extant structures from the Hanuman Garhi temple complex. Starting from the left, one can see the gateway that must have been the original entrance of this temple complex, followed by several small shrines. The seventh shrine, seen towards the centre, has a shikhara (superstructure) in brick, likely added at a later date than the original construction. These are followed by three important structures from the complex, a ruined Shiva Temple, a Devi Temple, which is locally known as Chaunsath Yogini Temple, and the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. In the foreground of all these structures is the kunda (water tank). The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is the largest in this complex. This temple is likely to be dedicated to Lakulisha worship.
View of the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) interior of the Someshwar Mahadev Temple. The walls and ceiling are plain. Presently, the object of worship in the garbhagriha is a Shiva linga (aniconic representation of Shiva), which appears to have been kept here at a later date. The back wall of the garbhagriha has a low-relief empty niche.
View of the side shrine from the panchayatana (main shrine with four subsidiary shrines cardinal to the main temple) setup of the Someshwar Mahadev Temple. Not all these shrines have survived, except the shrines to the northwest and southeast of the main temple. This is the shrine to the southeast of the main temple. The four side shrines in the complex are single shrines dedicated to different deities, probably Vishnu, Ganesha, goddess, and Surya. Of the shikhara (superstructure) on these shrines, only a few aedicules of the base have survived.
The entrance to the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) of the Someshwar Mahadev Temple is marked by an ornate dvarashakha (door jamb). The uttaranga (top band) of the dvarashakha and the vertical divisions flanking the opening have depictions of deities like Shiva, Mahesh, Brahma, and goddesses.
A closer view of the east jangha (wall) of the Kumbheshwar Mahadev Temple. The wall scheme is similar to the two north and south sides of the temple, with depictions of apsaras (celestial damsels), ascetics, and dancers on the intermediate and corner projections. The bhadra (central projection) has an image of Chamunda. The image of Chamunda is shown here portrayed with a skeletal body, six-handed, and a scorpion on her stomach. Below the image is a supine human figure. Except for a damaru (small two-headed drum) and a khatvanga (staff with a skull), the other attributes of the Goddess are broken.
Seen here are numerous architectural elements like pillar remains, shikhara (superstructure) portions, and plinth mouldings that were found in the vicinity of the panchayatana (main shrine with four subsidiary shrines in each cardinal directions) Someshwar Mahadev temple complex. All these elements must have formed part of the original temple structure but fell apart later. All these remains have been accumulated on a platform to the west of the temple complex. The several shikhara remains indicate that the mandapa (pillared hall) of the temple must have had a ghanta samavarna (bell roof) variety of shikhara. Broken parts of the shekhari (multi-spire) shikhara of the mulaprasada (main shrine) are also found in these remains.
The domical (vitana) ceiling of the Mandaleshwar Mahadev Temple is intricately carved. The ceiling is formed of concentric circular rings formed of cusps or fractals. The lowermost ring has brackets with sculptures. The first rings of the ceiling have kirtimukha (face of glory) motifs and a row of small sculptures. The inner rings are made up of semi-circular floral fractals.