Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c26.19

c26.19

There are two other entrances to the assembly hall of this temple, one on each side and each provided with a porch ; these however communicate with the courtyard, but at the far end of the hall is the doorway to the sanctuary in the cella of which was originally enshrined an image of Vishnu in the embodiment of Ramachandra Passing down the steps of one of the side entrances and crossing the small and high walled enclosure the temple scheme is revealed The main building which is towards the centre of the courtyard is remarkable for its vimana, with its lower story of stone and its pyramidal sikhara of brick rising above. This sikhara, although considerably worn, consists of a regular grouping of replicas of itself in three tiers surmounted by a cupola, the whole rather under fifty feet in height. Slightly to the side and rear of the vimana is the Amman shrine, in style a smaller reproduction of the main structure, with the exception of the crowning member of its sikhara, where, in place of a cupola, a keel roof has been adopted, derived from the Buddhist chaitya hall. In both buildings these brick and plaster superstructures were originally finished off with paint in bright colours a treatment which must have contrasted somewhat strongly with the sober natural tone of the stone masonry of the lower story. Yet this stonework itself has a singularly colourful appearance as each wall is elaborately carved in that architectural pattern of niche and pilaster, which by this time had become characteristic of the Dravidian style. There are not many buildings, however, of the period in which this very appropriate scheme of mural relief decoration has been more skilfully designed and disposed than on the temple of Hazara Rama.