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The original plan of the temple perplexed several scholars who proposed different schemes of reconstruction till M S Vats proposed a design based upon archaeological evidence and upon the prototypes of contemporary temples as depicted in the sculpted panels found on the main doorway of the shrine. During the visit of Strahan and Cunningham, the temple structure was in ruins with the plinth mostly covered with debris. Even as the presence of a partially surviving shikhara was visible, the remains did not give any indication of the original temple design. Due to the pillars that Cunningham had found in situ within the debris contained on the temple plinth, he assessed them as having been designed to support roofed porticoes in the four sides of the temple as approached from the stairways.
However, the concept was later disputed by several archaeologists and Indologists who revealed that design of the Vishnu temple of Deogarh was to be traced from the ideal temple design as described in the Vishnudharmottara Purana. A conjectural restoration of the Shikhara by Pandit M S Vats suggests that the tower was a straight-edged pyramid built in receding tiers, three in number. On center of each, a deeply recessed niche in form of a chaitya arch is carried upward till the spire. The arch was topped with pointed triangular medallion in center. Amalakas were placed on the corners and the top of the uppermost tier. On these grounds, this temple shikhara aligns more with the Dravidian style rather than with the Nagara style prevalent in Northern India.
To be continued....