This is the on-site storehouse housing several architectural elements and sculptural fragments found in Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and the entire temple complex. These fragments are important to understand the original fabric of the temple structure.
This is the east-facing elevation of the central shrine in the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. The bhadra (central projection) image on the exterior wall facing east, contains a unique composite image called the Harihararka (or Hariharapitamaharka), which is a depiction of Shiva, Vishnu, and Surya (and plausibly Brahma) incorporated into one sculpture. The three-faced figure is shown sitting on a chariot of seven horses, holding the attributes of all its representative deities.
These are the remains of the mandapa (pillared hall) and the north shrine in the triple-shrine Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. Like the south shrine, only the plinth of the exterior walls has survived. The mandapa (pillared hall) must have had kakshasanas (seats) in the original layout, which is evident from the vedika (railing) portions that are seen in this picture.
Remains of pilasters from the vicinity of the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. The original position is not known, but these are stylistically similar to the interior of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. The pillar shaft has a ghatapallava (pot with foliage) motif.
This is a view of the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple seen from its southeastern corner. Also pictured here are the southern and eastern shrines of the temple as seen from the rear. The western side of the temple is its principal entrance, and the eastern shrine has a partially preserved and conserved shrine.
Seen here are the details of the pillar capital, the lintel above the pillar and the ceiling base in the mandapa (pillared hall) of the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. The large pot-shaped moulding of the pillar is topped by a four-sided bracket. Above these brackets bharavahaka (load bearers) figures, there are small square sculptural panels. The lintel beams of the frame structure have friezes depiction fighting scenes and panels of deities.
A partially broken Shiva linga (an iconic representation of Shiva) is found on the eastern side of the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. This could be the original object of worship in the central shrine of the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, as the one inside the temple is a new linga.
View of the south-facing side of the shikhara (superstructure) central shrine in the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. Since the central shrine has undergone renovations, the plinth, wall, and spire portions are in place. The temple is a variety of Latina nagara (mono-spired) shikhara and pancharatha (five vertical offset or projections on each side) in plan. At the plinth level, the kumbha (pot) moulding has been renovated. During this process, the deities on the faces of the kumbha might have been replastered.
Seen here are the details of the Latina nagara (mono-spired) shikhara (superstructure) of the central shrine in the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. It is made up of five vertical projections. The central band or the madhyalata is flanked by pratilatas. These three bands are made up of a mesh of gavaksha (dormer window) motifs. The corner bands of the shikhara have aedicules which are known as bhumikhandas, again having gavaksha designs on their surfaces. These aedicules diminish in size and are separated by flat ribbed discs. Based on this shikhara, it can be speculated that the other two shrines of the temple must have had similar Latina nagara shikharas.
This is the ancillary shrine to the northeast of the main Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. It is a single-shrine temple in a very dilapidated state. Only a few mouldings of its plinth have survived. The temple was originally pancharatha (five vertical offset or projections on each side) in its plan, but the structure of the mandapa (pillared hall) has fallen.