File:Bands of carvings at Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu Karnataka.jpg

English: The lowest layer is Hamsa, the mythical sacred bird found in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Above it is a layer of dancers and musicians. Then Gavaksha layer to separate the structural sections. Above it are soldiers, each uniquely carved. Towards the left top is a perforated window–wall that is called Jali in Sanskrit vastu texts and is meant to let light into the mandapa or a covered section of the temple. There are layers below the Hamsa layer which symbolizes the human mind and celestial creatures. These would be Makara layer – another mythical animal with peacock flowery tail + elephant or lion body + crocodile head + sometimes with a boar like feature. It symbolizes creatures of water + on land + inside land + trees. Below this, a platform may have vine and flower motifs, geometric patterns, a layer of Gaja (elephants) and others.