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The Ardhnari temple at Mandi
is comparatively a modern temple. The right half of the stone image in the
temple represents Lord Shiva and the left half his consort Parvati.
Shiva has his typical knotted hair and wearing a garland of skulls, an
entwined serpent, a musical instrument in one hand and a Damru or drum in
the other. The divine consort Parvati is shown wearing a diadem, a pair of
earrings and a ring on the nose. The icon is well executed from all
standards.
There is a slab joined to the image on which the vehicles or Vahan of the
deities- the bull and the lion, are artistically carved. The images of
'Bhairon' and Lord Hanuman are also there.
The temple consists of a cella, porch and a mandap. The carvings of the
temple are of a high order. Ardhnari icons are rather rare in Northern
India and the presence of this icon here is rather strange.