English: From the source,

Pen-and-ink and wash drawing of ceiling panels and amorous couples (mithunas) on the pillar brackets from Cave III, Badami, by an Indian draftsman, dated 1853.

Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, was the capital of the Early Chalukya Hindu dynasty rulers in the sixth - eighth centuries. The town is situated between two rocky hills of red sandstone that surround a man-made lake called Agastya Tirtha. There are two forts that overlook the town. Around the south fort there are four rock-cut cave temples: three Hindu and one Jain.

Cave III was excavated during the reign of the Early Chalukya ruler Pulakeshin I in 578. It is the finest of the caves at Badami and shows a very elaborate ornamentation. The columns shafts are ornated with sculpted medallions containing amorous couples, jewel and garland motifs.

This drawing depicts the brackets of the columns of the outer row which are fashioned as embracing couples (mithunas) or maidens beneath trees. The ceiling of the mandapa or hall is carved with medallions which contain the Dikpalas or Guardian of the Directions with Brahma in the middle.