Tablet-like plaques are placed on the adhisthana (facing east). These plaques depict various types of flora and fauna as well as hybrid creatures like kinnara, vyala, and makara. The plaques are tightly arranged, richly detailed, and deeply carved, creating contrasting shadows that make the artwork look three-dimensional in sunlight. The central artwork of the plaque is in the form of a circular medallion surrounded by a foliage motif. This plaque features a kirtimukha (face of glory) with ardha padma (half lotus) and kalpa lata (creeper) motifs covering the rest of the plaque surface.
Broken debris from the original temple assembled on the southeast face of the adhisthana. U-shaped rounded stones are assembled on the parapet (their position or purpose in the original temple is unknown). Steps lead up three levels to the main temple at the top. The steps on the adhisthana have a chandrashila (moonstone) on the third step. The moonstone is a hemispherical stone in the shape of the moon, placed at the entrance of Hindu temples and is designed to resemble a lotus flower.
Broken debris from the original temple assembled on the south face of the adhisthana. Relief carvings of geometric, flora and fauna motifs feature all around the adhisthana. Seen here is a relief carving of a peacock.
View from the steps on the first level of the adhisthana. The adhisthana has a chandrashila (moonstone) on the landing (seen in the foreground) of the first set of steps and the beginning (seen in the centre) of the second set of steps. The moonstone is a hemispherical stone in the shape of the moon which is often placed at the entrance of Hindu temples and is designed to resemble a lotus flower.
Broken debris from the original temple assembled on the landing of the first set of steps on the adhisthana. The split gavaksha motif is repeated all through the temple. It is a motif that is often seen in Hindu temples.
Broken debris from the original temple assembled on the south face of the adhisthana. Relief carvings of geometric, flora and fauna motifs feature all around the adhisthana.
Information board installed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) written in Hindi and English. The board provides information about the Harshat Mata Temple site and gives a basic introduction to the style of temple construction.
Moonstone and steps leading up to the first level are visible from the approach, specifically from the east side coming from the Chand Baori. Seats for visitors were added as part of the site’s restoration by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Two moonstones are visible. One is placed at the base of the steps (foreground) on the ground level and a smaller moonstone is present on the third step.
Broken debris from the original temple assembled on the southeast face of the adhisthana. Additionally, U-shaped rounded stones are placed on the parapet, although their original position or purpose is unknown). Broken debris from the original temple assembled on the southeast face of the adhisthana. Additionally, U-shaped rounded stones are placed on the parapet, although their original position or purpose is unknown). Pradakshina along the east side of the adhisthana. The pradakshina has been paved with stone by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Broken debris from the original temple assembled on the southeast face of the adhisthana. Relief carvings of geometric, flora and fauna motifs feature all around the adhisthana. A pranala (water spout) for drainage is seen on the left.