The Interior of a Hoysala temple

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The interior of a HOYSALA TEMPLE consists of three parts namely GARBHAGRIHA (ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹ), SHUKANAASI (ಶುಕನಾಸಿ) and NAVARANGA.
1. GARBHAGRIHA ( the Sanctum sanctorum ) is the most important part of a temple. It is a room in which the image of the deity is stationed in the geometrical centre.
2. Next to the Garbhagriha and contiguous to it is the ARDHA MANTAPA (ಅರ್ಧಮಂಟಪ ) or SHUKANAASI. It is a narrow pavilion connecting the Garbhagriha with the NAVARANGA. It is used to keep the articles of worship.
Strictly speaking SHUKANAASI is an external ornamental feature over the entrance of the Garbhagriha, which in many cases looks like the beak of a parrot ( hence the name SHUKANAASI ). It sits on the face of the tower as a sort of an ante fix. Usually, it contains an image of the deity to whom the temple is dedicated. The room below the SHUKANAASI is also called by the same name.
3. The NAVARANGA also called MAHAA MANTAPA (ಮಹಾ ಮಂಟಪ ) or NRITTA MANTAPA ( ನೃತ್ಯ ಮಂಟಪ ) is a big hall after the Shukanasi. It is used for congregational purposes, religious purposes and offering sevas by the devotees. In the centre of the NAVARANGA there shall usually be a raised platform. The ceilings of the Navaranga are supported by Pillars. The ceilings usually take a domical shape. The depression in the in the ceiling is called BHUVANESHVARI ( they look like an inverted basket ).

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