Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c26.17

c26.17

vention slightly to the side and front of the principal entrance to the temple, it consists of an open pavilion resembling in some respects the ardha-mandapa, as it is designed in much the same manner, but is little more than half its size. Standing as they do within a few paces of one another, these two pillared halls present an architectural combination of astonishing richness. The Kalyana has the same kind of high plinth, with deeply recessed sides and flights of steps in the centre of three of them, its plan measuring 62 feet either way at the widest part. Again there is the voluptuous double flexured cornice with a turned up outer edge reminiscent of the pagodas of China, and below is a grouping of piers, each with its girdle of detached shafts of most graceful and elegant proportions. There are as many as forty-eight in all, of these piers, of which twelve are placed around the square throne in the centre of the pavilion, the remainder forming a double arcade around its sides. Aligned with the main axis of the temple, and facing the east or principal entrance to the ardha-mandapa is another monument of no little beauty and significance This is the ratha or chariot of the god, a reproduction in masonry, with realistically revolving stone wheels and to a fairly ample scale, of a temple car, with every feature imitated in granite, even to the elephant forms which guard the steps. As with all the structures of the period its upper part, in the form of a sikhara, was of brick and cement, but this has been dismantled. The position of such an artistic piece of symbolism in the foreground is well thought out, as it leads up to the fine effect of the main building beyond.