Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c12.48

c12.48

Behind the front-screen is a vestibule in the back-wall of which are three doorways with the chaitya or sun-window above. The sun-window, usually the richest feature of the scheme, in this instance is little more than a bare semi-circular aperture, and is obviously unfinished. Inside, the interior takes the form of the conventional apsidal hall, surrounded by a colonnade, the dimensions being 86 feet in length, 40 feet wide, and with a height of 50 feet. The 34 pillars completely encircling the nave, are closely set, being short massive columns, only a few of which are ornamented, and in much the same manner as those at Karli. The impression conveyed by this chaitya hall is, that, while the architectural technique shows signs of deterioration, the plastic embellishment, particularly of the figures, has maintained its quality. Taken as a whole, however, Kanheri represents a distinct falling away from the high standard of its prototype, plainly signifying that it was a final effort before the early phase of rock-architecture, owing to the decline of the Hinayana doctrine, came to an end.