Sculpture of Dodda Basappa Temple, Dambal is a fine specimen of 12th century Western Chalukya architecture. Almost all the features of Western Chalukya sculptures and architectures are to be found in this Shaiva temple. The sculpture of Dodda Basappa Temple stands as a symbol of development in the Chalukya architecture. The temple drifts away from the conventional form of Dravidian art and sculpture. In fact the sculpture of Dodda Basappa Temple mirrors the Karnata dravida architectural tradition.

The building of Dodda Basappa Temple stands on a raised platform and it is star shaped. In fact the sculpture of Dodda Basappa Temple is famous for its multigonal stellar shape. The 24 pointed stellate plans look stunning. It has been observed that it is the only temple in Karnataka that has an uninterrupted pointed stellate. In such a plan the outline remains uninterrupted by the right angled projections that appear in the cardinal directions. Such a plan gives rise to star points.

The principle deity of Dodda Basappa Temple is the Shiva linga. The temple comprises a sanctum (garbhagriha or cell), an antechamber (antarala) and a mandapa (`navaranga` or hall). The garbhagriha and the mandapa have been connected by the antechamber (antarala). Pillars have always been an important feature of Indian temples. The pillars in this temple too have been carved out of stone. These are well defined and there are sculptures that adorn them. The usual building material of soapstone has been used to construct the temple.

The entrance of the Dodda Basappa Temple has decorative mouldings above it. In that contemporary age there were images in between the decorations. The spaces are still visible but the images are missing. On the either side of the temple elaborate and intricate sculptures are to be found. Apart from the foliage sculptures there are carved figures of miyhuna couple, dancers and musicians. The main mantapa has three images of Hindu deities: a five headed Brahma, His vahana, goose and two images of the sun god, Surya. There are two doorways to the temple and both have porches attached to them. The lintel of the east doorframe was once beautifully engraved with fine decorations.

An important feature of this temple is the large stone caving of Nandi. This has been created on a pillared extension of the main mandapa. The place where the Nandi resides is similar to the open hall (mandapa). The Nandi image faces the inner chamber.

The perimeter of the outer walls is built of the angles and re-entrant angles while creating the star shaped stellate. Even the shikhara or the tower is star shaped. This uniformity, amazingly, renders an exotic look to the entire temple structure. However the storey arrangement of the superstructure of the temple cannot be distinctly recognisable. The `tala` superstructure looks like cogged wheels.

The sculpture of Dodda Basappa Temple also includes kirtimukhas that are found in the recesses. Sculpted pilasters with various figures and the Dravida styled miniature towers add to the beauty and sculpture and architecture of Dodda Basappa Temple.