In Ittagi, Karnataka, a 7th-century torana stands as a Chalukyan sentinel. Its red sandstone pillars, etched with time, are evidence of a thriving Hindu heritage since ancient times. The torana stands inside the village midst rural homes, unlike the nearby majestic 12th-century Mahadeva temple of Ittagi.
This freestanding torana was excavated by digging a rural street. It shows two square pillars and a cross-beam, adorned with kinnara, Gajalakshmi, and lion emblems on one side. The other side has Vishnu-related motifs such as the conch, discus and other Hindu artwork. The pillars’ cube-and-cushion capitals, dated around 700 CE, reflect early Chalukyan craftsmanship, noted in scholarly studies. The lintel’s artwork, floral motifs and nidhi symbols suggest that it stood at the entrance of a Hindu temple or monastery.
The torana’s carvings offer insight into Chalukyan symbolism for those studying India’s heritage. The nearby Puspabhadra Temple in Aihole shares similar artistry.
Other sites in Ittagi and nearby Gadag and Lakkundi provide broader context for Karnataka’s Chalukyan Hindu legacy over 700 some years.
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