[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods)](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.brown-1942) › c19.20 # Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c19.20 Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c19.20 - **Language:** English ### [c19.20](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.brown-1942.c19.20) Although the Mahayana viharas at Ajanta show many pleasing features, and are wonderful examples of the rock-cut mode, they are easily surpassed in design and execution by the chaitya halls. There are two of these Buddhist temples in the series, of which No. 19 is the earlier and finer. This chaitya hall is not large, the entire height of the exterior being 38 ft. with a width of 32 feet, while its interior measures 46 ft. by 24 ft., so that in its proportions it is not dissimilar from Trinity Chapel in Canterbury Cathedral, with the exception of the lesser height which is only 24 feet. It corresponds also in size to the already existing chaitya hall No. 10, the smaller and later of the Hinayana series, and, as with the other Mahayana example (chaitya hall No. 26), it follows the earlier type in having flat ceilings to its side aisles. Chaitya hall No. 19 appears to have originally possessed a singularly well-proportioned entrance court with side-chapels, a scheme which serves as an attractive prelude to the facade. This facade has only one doorway, instead of the usual three, but in front of it is projected a pillared portico of such elegant design as to give its character to the whole. The roof of the portico forms a massive entablature, the upper surface of which was probably used as a minstrels’ gallery, and at the back rises the chaitya window, the entire height of the facade being 38 ft., with a width of 32 ft. - [Previous: c19.19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.brown-1942.c19.19) - [Next: c19.21](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.brown-1942.c19.21) - [Up: c19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.brown-1942.c19) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.brown-1942.c19.20](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.brown-1942.c19.20) · Pramāṇa