The central nave has a higher flat roof that is raised over a sort of clearstory in front of the cella-entrance. Two lateral aisles have sloping roofs which are at a smaller height than the central roof. The aisles of the maha-mandapa are continuous on either side which has a closed inner circumambulatory. The adhishthana is projected forward into the porch. The reliefs on the adhishthana and outer wall are cantoned by pilasters and enclose niches. These are framed by shrine of all the patterns of northern and southern vimanas, kuta, sala, panjara, udgama. They also consist of bold structures. Above the inner wall rose the original apsidal griha and sikhara. The temple possesses advanced features. The style of its sculpture, its diverse corbel-forms and water-spout make it a structure of the eighth century. The inscription of Chalukya Vikramaditya II(733-46) on the ruined gopura at the south-eastern part of the enclosing-wall also indicates this. This temple resembles a Buddhist chaitanya temple. The outer walls of the temple have convoluted carved figures of Narasimha, Mahishasuramardini, Varaha and Lord Vishnu and so on. However this temple is not dedicated to Goddess Durga as the name suggests. It is believed till early twentieth century this temple formed part of a fortification of Durga of the Marathas. |