Papanatha Temple is a sizable building situated on the banks of the Malaprabha River outside the main temple complex, 500 meters from Pattadakal Bus Stand & Temple Complex gate. From the entrance of Virupaksha Temple, one can descend along the riverbed to this temple. This temple is about Lord Shiva's Muktewara incarnation. It is another beautiful temple from the Pattadakal tour package.

Architecture

The beautiful architecture makes it worth among the places to visit in Pattadakal. Around 680 AD, the construction of this temple, which combines Nagara and Dravidian architecture. While the mukha mandapa faces east, the structure of the rangamandira and the antarala are in Dravidian architecture. The construction of the vimana at the top of the sanctuary is in Nagara style. For pradakshinas, the sanctum has a constricting path. There are pillared porticos with dancing Shiva sculptures on three of the sanctum's outside walls.

The carvings of subjects from the Ramayana and Mahabharata make this temple noteworthy. Sixteen pillars in the sabha mandap support medium-sized statues of men and women. A sculpture of Mahishasura Mardhini with eight hands is also present.

The Papanatha Temple was constructed in 680 in the Vesara style. After beginning in Nagara style, the temple was eventually redesigned in a more harmonious Dravidian manner. There are sculptures depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The construction of the Nava Brahma temples in Alampur, Andhra Pradesh, by the Badami Chalukyas.

On three sides of the pillars of the Mukha mandapa are beautiful carvings of couples and mystical creatures. The sides of the mandapa have several windows with tiny temple towers with various artworks on them. You can see things like Rama Killing Vali, Vanaras building a bridge to Lanka, Srirama's Coronation, and Arjuna's penance. Also, other stuff like Ravana lifting Mount Kailash, Narasimha & Hiranyakasipu fighting, Indra riding Airavata, Indrajit & Kumbhakarna attacking the vanara army, etc.

The best time to visit Papanatha Temple

Winter at Pattadakal is pleasant from October through February. These temps create cool, comfortable settings and are also ideal for tourism.