Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c18.17

c18.17

In direct contrast with the architectural formation of the foregoing, but at the same time illustrating another experimental stage in the development of the temple structure, is the Durga temple at Aihole (Plates XLVI, Fig. 2, and XLVII Fig. 4, also XLIV and XLV). This example is a Brahmanical version of the Buddhist chaitya hall, adapted to suit the service of the former creed. It has already been established that Buddhist buildings of a similar type were not uncommon in many parts of India in the early centuries of the Christian era, while there is an actual example at Ter, not far distant from Dharwar (Chapter IX). The Durga temple, which most closely follows this model, was probably erected during the sixth century, and is an apsidal-ended structure measuring externally 60 feet by 36 feet, but in addition there is a large portico on its eastern front 24 feet in depth, so that its entire length is 84 feet. Raised on a particularly high and heavily moulded plinth or stereobate, the topmost tier of its flat roof is 30 feet from the ground; over the apse a short pyramidal tower, or *sikhara*, has been subsequently added. among other notable features in the design of the Durga temple is its peripteral exterior, or pteroma, a passage formed by the colonnade of a verandah which is carried right round the building, and joins up with similar pillars comprising the portico. This portico is approached by two flights of steps, one on each side of the front, and inside it is a vestibule, also pillared, within which is the entrance doorway. The interior consists of a hall 44 feet long, and divided by two rows of four pillars into a nave and two aisles, with an apsidal shaped cella, recalling the naos of the Greeks, at its far end, the aisles are continued round this cella as a processional passage. Light is obtained both for the central hall and for this passage by means of stone grilles, those at the sides being square and those in the apse circular in shape, and each is filled with an elegant carved and perforated pattern. The roof of the nave is raised higher than that of the side aisles, so that in almost every particular, not only in the treatment of its parts, but in the nature of the building as a whole, it is a literal re-statement of the Buddhist chaitya hall.