The sculpture of Mallikarjuna Temple has been done on the Chalukyan idiom. In an inscription an alternative name for the temple has been suggested: Sri Trailokeswara Maha Saila Prasada. It was built around 740 AD with the aim of celebrating the victory of Vikramaditya II (733-45 A.D.) over the Pallavas. The architecture of Mallikarjuna Temple, to a large extent, is similar to that of Virupaksha temple. This temple ahs been built in the southern vimana style. The architectural features of this temple include `garbhagriha,` an antechamber, pradakshina patha, a sub-shrine, a sabha-mandapa with entrance verandahs on east, north and south directions and a Nandi-mandapa in front of the Mallikarjuna Temple.

The sub-shrines are dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Mahisasuramardhini. Today, however, are empty. But the gateway and the pillars to the temple still exist. The entire temple is built on a raised stone platform. The recesses on the outer walls of the temple have been designed with carved images. The parapet and the superstructure of this temple is similar to that of Virupaksha temple. In addition to this the image of a Nataraja is to be found in the arch of the sukanasa of this temple. The events from epics and Puruans also adorn the walls of this temple. On the pillars of the sabha-mandapa the images of goddesses fighting with Mahisasura, Narasimha fighting Hiranyakasipu, slaying of Maricha, churning of the ocean or `samudra-manthana` and others have been depicted.

Eroticism is also part of the temple sculpture. The basement of the temple has been beautifully carved with sculpted elephants while the outer walls are designed with female figures that are to be found on their niches.