Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c28.43

c28.43

Of the buildings within the enclosure forming the remainder of the architectural scheme, the most important is the nat mandir, a richly designed hall confronting the main entrance to the temple, but separated from it by an interval of thirty feet. This space had as its centre a graceful pillar, or *khurti-stambha*, bearing aloft a small image of Arjuna, but this free-standing column was transferred some considerable time ago to adorn the eastern entrance of the Jagannath temple at Puri, where it still remains The character and location of these supplementary structures were all in accordance with the composition as a whole, the nat mandir, being a lesser building in the same style as the great structure it faces, thus acting as a refrain to the main theme. Another detached edifice was a small although complete shrine towards the south west portion of the enclosure, dedicated to Ramchandra, treated in the same ornate manner, but on the south east a large building for service purposes, probably a refectory, was plainly designed in keeping with its utilitarian object. Of the gateways to the enclosure, as well as the retaining wall, nothing is left, but there are several colossal groups of sculpture, intended to occupy salient positions on the line of approach, which are still preserved, although not now on their original sites. Some of these groups are superb works of art, not realistic, but idealistic and architectonically treated, so that they all form part of the scheme Such are two monumental statues of war-horses, their impetuosity restrained by armed attendants, which for spirit and power recall the Chinese productions of the Han period, but combined with the indigenous Indian rock-sculpture tradition. That the entire conception was worked out so that every element, large and small, was not only perfect in itself, but in proportion and intention in complete agreement with every other element is abundantly clear. Each part proclaims its correct architectural application, and the whole is assembled in such a masterly manner that the result is an ordained and convincing uniformity.