Wandering ascetics from a variety of sects and lineages were a very common sight in temple towns in medieval India. The pillars and walls of Halasuru Someshwara are like a veritable encyclopedia of Saiva ascetics of the Vijayanagara period – there are sculptures of plump sages with jata tied up in a bun; long-haired acharyas meditating and teaching; ecstatic ascetics dancing, drumming, blowing horns and pipes; mendicants in strange attire and flexible yogis squatting with a yogapatta or seated in twisted positions; and many more.
The Someshwara temple contains within it an enchanted universe of gods,
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A stone linga and a graceful stone icon of Kamakshi behind a consecrated Srichakra occupy the two
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The Moon God Chandra floats on a cloud on the top section of an entrance pillar.
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Mythical creatures that combine the features of two or more different animals are found in
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Wandering ascetics from a variety of sects and lineages were a very common sight in
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Intermingling with gods and celestials, ascetics and hybrid animals at the Somesvara temple
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Animals mingle with gods and humans on the pillars and walls of the temple, and.
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