The hill temple looks like a large fort and is known for its
wealth of sculptures. There are rows of sculptures on the walls,
giving one the impression of a gallery. Then there are a large
number of bass reliefs, which are a symbolic representation of
the various legends. A sculpture of sage Bringi standing on
three legs is noteworthy. The sage was cursed by Goddess
Parvathi to become a skeleton because he was worshipping only
Shiva. The Lord pacified Parvathi and gave the sage one more leg
to stand. Early inscriptions speak of how rulers of different
dynasties like the Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Kakatiyas and
Vijayanagar rulers were ardent devotees of Lord Mallikarjuna and
enriched the shrine in terms of construction and other gifts. In
later years, Maratha ruler Chatrapati Shivaji is known to have
constructed a gopuram of the The sanctum enshrining Lord
Mallikarjuna is a shell-like structure. The Mukhamandapa is a
well-sculptured pillared hall in Vijayanagar style. Nandi,
Shiva’s mount, is enshrined in a separ