Question

Identify the remains of the shikhara and the entrance to the garbhagriha.

Answer 1

1. The shikhara is the tall tower or spire built directly over the central shrine to signify its spiritual importance. In early Gupta-period structures like the Deogarh temple, the upper part of the tower has mostly collapsed over time. The remains of the shikhara are visible as the damaged, flat-topped pyramidal stone tiers or structural core rising above the lower sanctuary walls.
2. The garbhagriha (literally “womb-chamber”) is the small, dark, square room where the main idol of the deity is placed. The entrance can be identified by its highly ornate and deeply carved stone doorway. In early temples, this single doorway is typically framed by intricate reliefs depicting celestial couples, river goddesses (Ganga and Yamuna), and decorative floral motifs to mark the transition from the mundane world into the sacred space.