Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c29.10

c29.10

Turning now to the interiors of the Khajuraho temples it will be at once realized that these were designed strictly according to the requirements of the ritual, combined with the necessity for a certain economy of space There is only one entrance, that on the east, and this is approached by a singularly tall flight of steps rising steeply owing to the excessive height of the plinth, but increasing its dignity. The doorway, like some of the other openings in the interior, has its lintel festooned with a cusped archway or foliated form of strut, so finely fashioned as to appear more like ivory-carving, or even a hanging drapery than chiselled stone. Through this doorway one enters a passage or porch, which expands into a rectangular portico or *ardha-mandapa*, the whole with open sides, the ceiling carried on pillars, and sloping seat-backs or *asana* as dwarf walls Opening out of this portico is the main hall or *mandapa*, a moderately large square compartment with four pillars in the centre supporting the beams of the roof. (Plates XCII and XCIII). On each side of this hall extending laterally, are the transepts or *maha-mandapa* connecting with the balcony windows of the exterior. The furthermost side of the main hall communicates with the vestibule or *antarala*, a shallow passage with a large moonstone step (*chandrasila*) leading up to the ornate doorway of the cella, an opening which repeats in its festooned lintel the design of the main entrance.