Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c24.23

c24.23

The Tanjore temple is composed of several structures combined axially, such as a Nandi pavilion, a pillared portico, and a large assembly hall, all aligned in the centre of a spacious walled enclosure. But the main feature of the entire scheme is the grand tower of the vimana at the western end which dominates everything in its vicinity. Much of the dignity and power of this fine pyramidal pile lies in the simplicity of its parts, which are three in number, consisting of the square vertical base, the tall tapering body, and, over all, the graceful domical finial. The first of these, the vertical base, covers a square of 82 feet side, and rises perpendicularly to a height of 50 feet. From this the pyramidal body mounts up in thirteen diminishing zones, until the width of its apex equals one-third of its base. On the square platform thus formed stands the cupola, the inward curve of its neck producing a pleasing break in the otherwise rigid outlines of the composition while the bulbous dome poised like a light but substantial globe is a fitting finish to its soaring character.