Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c17.23

c17.23

Slightly later than any of the foregoing are two buildings in the early Gupta style, which have much in common. These are a Siva temple at Bhamara² near Nagod, and the Parvati temple at Nachna³ near Ajaigarh, both probably erected before 500 A.D. Each is built on the principle of the flat roof, with pillared portico, and although differing in some parts of their arrangements, (for instance the Nachna example has an upper story), their proportions are very similar, and their plans are much alike. The Parvati temple is the simpler scheme, and consists of a square building of 15 feet side, containing a cella 8½ feet in diameter, the whole standing on a square platform 35 feet wide. This platform in both buildings is extended on the front side to an additional 12 feet where it is approached by a short flight of steps. Both temples are much ruined but each had a processional path around the outside of the sanctum, that at Nachna being an enclosed passage, while at Bhamara it was an open promenade. In each case the doorways to the shrine are of the typical Gupta design with their overhanging lintels, figure panels in the upper corner, and ornate treatment generally. But the carved decoration was by no means confined only to the entrances, the Parvati temple contains at the sides some panels with vigorous figure compositions, while there are few buildings for their size that could have displayed such choice embellishment as that on the stones lying around the Bhamara sanctum. For spirited floral scrolls and crisp modelling, the chiselled patterns on its lintels have their equal only in the brushforms of the Ajanta frescoes, each medium expressing that quality of exultation and movement which only appear under the most tranquil and favourable conditions.