Stone Chariot

Vitthala Temple, Vijayanagara

South face of the structure. The stone chariot is drawn by a pair of incongruously miniaturized elephants, which are not original; they date from the 19th century. It is said that the wheels were once able to turn on their axles, although they are currently cemented in place. The shrine had a pyramidal brick tower, visible in early photographs, which was removed at the end of the 19th century; the elephants were also added at that time.