Most of the architectural features
which made the temple so famous,were completely buried under the debris and
sands,till the early 19th century.The existence of these beautiful
wheels,horses,elephants and the simhasana of Sun God being not known to the
people,the visitors who came in these days could not even enjoy the halt of its
beauty.
Narasimhadeva's desired temple was
built in the form of a huge Ratha(chariot),having twelve pairs of wheels
exquisitely carved out in the northern and southern sides of the plinth
masonary and drawn by a team of seven spirited horses,speeding as if,through
the heaven.
The wheels of the chariot are also
symbolic and have been interpreted as the 'Wheel of Life'.They portray the
cycle of creation,preservation and achievement of realisation.The diameter of
each of the wheels is about nine(2.73 metres) feet and each of them has a set
eight equal parts.They are elaborately carved all over.The thicker ones are all
carved with circular medallions at their centres on the widest part of the
face.The axels of the wheels project by about one foot from the surface,having
similar decorations at their ends.The rims are carved with designs of foliages
with various birds and animals,whereas the medallions in the spokes are carved
with the figures of women in various luxurious poses,mostly of erotic
nature.These wheels may also possibly represent the twelve Zodiacs.
The seven horses,have been named in
Bhagawat Gita,as 'Gyatri','Usnika','Anustuv','Vrihati','Pangti','Tristup' and
'Jagati' which possibly stand for the rhythmic representtion of the sacred
verses of the Vedas.
The figures of elephants which had
originally stood on the side walls of the flights of steps at the northern and
southen sides of the Jagamohana,were found amidst the confused mass of
debris.They are however,installed,in masonary platforms nearer to the compound
walls,facing the main temple,but in fact,they are to face outwards,to welcome
people coming in.
The simhasana (seat of the presiding
deity) made of chlorite stone(a kind of volcanic rock) and beautifully carved
all over,is still in existence within the sanctum.Its base and sides are
decorated with beaded borders,enclosing rows of elephants and various scenes
from day-to-day life,such as women carrying offerings,musical instruments and
standing in groups with floded hands.The King and Queen are seen sitting in
front.The floor of the room is also paved with chlorite slabs.
Although the presiding deity is now
missing from the place,there is no doubt that the image of the Sun-God,actually
occupied the Simhasana,rulling over the innumerable devotees who worshipped him
for about four hundred years with all the pomp and glory,which traditionally
accompanies the virtuals of worship.Otherwise the beautiful pedestal and the
smaller one above it,would not have existed.A semicircular channel was also
provided on the pedestal for easy flow of water from the body of the image.
