 Sri Golingeswara Swamy Temple stands in the Biccavolu village situated in the East Godavari district of the Indian state Andhra Pradesh. It is the biggest among the six important temples of the village constructed by Eastern Chalukyas. The ancient temple has a magnificent beauty having rich iconography. The temple has a beautiful Shivalingam and on the door jambs there are 33 lines Shasanam. The architecture of sanctum sanctorum or the Garbha Gudi, the main hall or the Mukha Mandapams, the passages or the Antaralas and other Mandapams are exquisite.
Architecture of Sri Golingeswara Swamy Temple The main entrance of the temple leads to a Mandapam through which the Mukha Mandapam can be approached. There is a small shrine towards the southern entrance of the Mandapam. The walls of Mukha Mandapam are embellished with ornamental and structural columns known as pilasters and screens. Three small shrines are there in the Mukha Mandapam. Two masterpieces also stand there among which one is the idol of Lord Ganeshain a seated posture and the other is the figure of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in the form of Alingana Chandra Sekhara Murthy. Between the Mukha Mandapam and another Mandapam there lies a narrow passage. On further entering the temple, the Antarala of the temple can be located which does not have any decoration and is a bit narrow. Antarala of the temple leads to the Garbha Gudi where the main deity is installed. A Shivalingam made of black granite is there. Decorations of Sri Golingeswara Swamy Temple The walls of sanctum sanctorum have rich adornments of Kostas which have pilasters, projections, recesses and sculptures. Makaratoranams surmounts the Kostas. Simple brackets capitals are made on the pillars of the walls. There is a row of dwarfs above the capital and above it Simhalalata gables adorned Kapota can be witnessed. The Mukha Mandapam is also decorated with a row of magnificent carvings in series. The temple tower or vimana above the Garbha Gudi has a row of beams and pillars. A narrow Gala, twelve beam heads and two steps can be found above this. A Nagara Shikharam is placed above the Gala along with a gable on each side. A striking Kalasham lies above it in a double lotus. |
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