Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c18.23

c18.23

It seems probable that the Brahmanical halls at Badami were all excavated within a relatively short space of time, but the one belonging to the Jains was added nearly a century later. Of the three former, the largest and most important example bearing the dated inscription, and dedicated to Vishnu, was first begun being followed by No. 2, the smallest, also, Vaishnavite, which is only half its size; the last to be produced was No. 1, in this instance a Saivite shrine which, in its dimensions, is intermediate to the other two. Although in comparison with other rock-cut examples, those at Badami are not large, yet the proportions of No. 3 are not inconsiderable. The exterior width of its verandah, or what corresponds to a facade, is nearly 70 feet, and is composed of a colonnade of six pillars in addition to a pilaster at each end.