Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c28.48

c28.48

It has been noted that these plastic obscenities are confined entirely to the exterior of the temple, so that it is presumed the elemental observances they represent were performed outside, which may account for the plain interior of the great hall, appearing, by contrast, relatively pure and holy. Such, however, is only one of the mysteries attached to this vast solitary pile, which for centuries has been slowly subsiding into the dust But its disfigured beauty cannot be concealed, nor its sinister character suppressed, the drifting sands around ceaselessly whisper it, although as ceaselessly they endeavour to hide it. Yet once every year the stillness is shattered, the temple again comes to life to recall scenes of its ancient glory, when, stirred by some strange instinct like that of migratory birds, pilgrims in their thousands converge from long distances to worship the sun-god within its precincts. For one whole day its broken walls pulsate with religious emotion, and its crumbling courts echo with fervent prayers from people of all classes. Then "night over all spreads her garment", and by the following dawn the place is deserted, the devotees have filtered away in groups across the sands towards the horizon, and the great ruin sinks again into solitary silence, steeped in its own dark thoughts.