Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c30.10

c30.10

Three early temples of the series at Osia, probably built in the eighth century, and dedicated to Harihara, are small but particularly pleasing in their design and rich in their embellishment Two are of the *panchayatana* class, so that with their four additional shrines they form very attractive compositions. They are raised up on plinths, as in the Khajuraho group, but on the other hand their sikharas resemble the early Orissan type, except that they are more refined in their contours In Nos. 2 and 3 of this Harihara trio, the mandapa is an open pillared hall, with the lower part of the pillars supporting the characteristic sloping seat-back or *asana* and every part is tastefully carved. (Plate XCVIII, Fig 2) This plastic decoration is well shown in the entrance to the sanctum of temple No. 2 and also in the pillars of one of the shrines attached to No 1 There is a naivete and freshness in this carving, although it is profusely applied, and there are the same ingenuous qualities in the architecture, which is also skilful in its execution.