Pallava Architecture, Part I (MASI 17) c2.40

c2.40

(1) Mahendra style.—All monuments in this style are subterranean rock-cut excavations usually known as cave-temples. They have but one external facade which is in the face of the rock. On plan, the temple consists of a rectangular pillared hall with a small square shrine chamber excavated in one of the side walls. As a rule, the shrine faces the east or the west, usually the latter. With the exception of the Vishnu temple at Mahendravadi, all are dedicated to Siva and originally contained stone lingas or images of that deity. The lingas were large and cylindrical in shape, highly polished and mounted on yoni pedestals of the usual kind. The shrine chamber is free from all ornament within, but usually has a dvarapala, or doorkeeper, carved in high relief standing on each side of the entrance into the sanctum. The external ends of the facade are also often provided with figures of doorkeepers, one at each end protecting the outer entrance. Some of these figures are very large and have a characteristic pose which is somewhat different to that of the doorkeepers of the later periods. They generally stand facing the spectator, in rather an aggressive attitude with one hand resting on a huge club. Others have one hand raised to the head in the act of adoration.