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.
The entrance gateway of the Bhandasar Temple on the inside, connects to the enclosure wall of the temple complex. The enclosure wall has merlons on its edge and diminishes in height from the gateway.
A ruined platform stands south of the main Bhandasar Temple, in front of the Adinatha Temple. The south-facing side of the platform has a staircase. The purpose of this platform is not known.
The temple is built in sandstone, mainly with the jangha (wall) sculptures made in gray schist. As seen here, the temple is a single shrine consisting of a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) and a mandapa (pillared hall). The temple's tiered phamsana shikhara (pyramidical stepped superstructure) has an amalaka (a ribbed discus) at the finial. The use of different materials for the entire temple body and the jangha is peculiar. The stone used for sculptures is polished.