Photograph of the Tarakeshwara Temple at Hungul. It was built in the mid-twelfth century and dedicated to Siva. Its open hall contains an intricately carved, domical, corbelled lotus ceiling. The temple consists of a sanctuary with a great adjoining pillared hall and a Nandi pavilion resting on twelve pillars. The columns are lathe-turned or have geometric shapes. Both halls have stepped pyramidal roofs. The outer walls are decorated with carvings of miniature temples. In front of the great hall there are three memorial stones carved with religious and military scenes.

Hungul is a small town south of Hubli in Karnataka. It came to prominence under the Chalukyas of Kalyana who were the chief powers in the Deccan from the tenth to the twelfth centuries. The Chalukyas were prolific temple builders, renowned for their architectural innovations.