Halebid and Belur Part II

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The lowest layer are the elephants, then come the lions (some of which are decapitated and in the British Museum or lost to history), then the flowers, battle scenes from the Mahabharata, more flowers, more battle scenes, then a layer of a mythical creature called a Makara (body parts of a lion, crocodile, and elephant.)

More layers with different sculptures.

Halebid Temple side view. The hole in the wall is an exit point for all the holy water poured on the Shiva Linga during the puja or worship. The water then drains into the drain below.

As in most Indian temples, scenes of sexuality were carved into the temple walls along with other scenes from daily court life.