Temples of Pattadakal


On the hallowed steps
of a cauldron ancient,
I stand.
Where the alchemy of symmetry
was sculpted
by unknown hands.

On the pallet
of the sky
were chiselled the ‘nagaras’.
On the mountains
of clouds
were carved the ‘vimanas’.

Into the inchoate stones
were engraved
the music of ‘ragas’.
Into the unformed shapes
were sculpted
the tempo of ‘talas’.

Curlicues multitude
depict
the legends of yore.
O mighty ‘Chalukyas’,
the arabesques intricate
speak of your lore.

In the darkness divine
of ‘garbhagrihas’,
still linger your passions.
In the quietude
of ‘mandapams’,
echo your victory chants with, effusion.

O temples of ‘pattadakal’,
you are the flowers
of imperishable bloom.
In rains do your
beauty awaken,
to fight off time’s impending doom.


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