There are specific elements of the Vitthala Temple that are of historic and artistic importance, and many of these are present in the subsidiary structures. A prime example is the Garuda chariot (which is a Garuda shrine) in front of the main temple, which graces the back of the new Rs50 notes. I visited the temple on a busy day, and many people were taking photos holding out the currency note in front of the chariot.

The temple probably dates back to the late-15th or early-16th c AD, but a lot of the notable elements were added in the mid-16th c.

Main east gopuram from the early-16th c

View of the forecourt

Garuda shrine in the form of a chariot, mid-16th c addition. I might have gone overboard with photos of the chariot. Please bear with me. It really is quite an architectural/sculptural gem!

The kalyan mandap has beautiful composite columns

Looking between the kalyan mandap (right), and the main temple’s mahamandap towards the chariot shrine and another mandap behind it

Side court

The massive monolithic composite columns of the main temple’s mahamandap can be seen on the left. Kalyan mandap on the right.

South gopuram

Side shrine

North gopuram and gnarly tree

Back to the east gopuram