The
principal temple is a cluster of shrines dedicated to the Nava Brahmas. It is
situated in a fortress and bears a striking resemblance to the Papanatha temple at
Pattadakal. The sikharas of these shrines have a
curvilinear form outwardly, and are deco- rated with a network of miniature architec-
tural devices such as Amalakas etc.
The Amalaka decoration occurs at the angles of the towers
of Alampur and has a beautiful effect, since it naturally blends with the crowning masonry
of the tower.
The inner plan and decoration of the Alam- pur temples bear no
affinity to the temples of Orissa, though they bear strikingexterior resemblance.
On the other hand, they have a close similarity to some of the
rock-cut temples of Western India. There are nine temples here.
The shrines are square in plan and have a passage for
Pradakshina around them. The interiors of the temples are in imitation of the rock-cut
temples, closed.
Carvings on the pillars are identical with the cave temples of
Western India, and in the interior of these temples, one is often likely to wonder whether
he is in a rock-cut shrine or in a structural temple. |