Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c31.25

c31.25

Although the two structures comprising the temple building differ from each other in character, as the one is in the form of an open hypostyle hall and the other is enclosed within walls, by the skilful adjustment of their mouldings, string-courses and horizontal elements generally, the composition is so well harmonised as to produce the necessary effect of wholeness. On plan the frontal structure, or *sabha-mandapa*, is based on a square of nearly fifty feet wide, placed diagonally with the axial line, its sides being interrupted at regular intervals by recessed chases. There are pillared entrances with cusped archways at each of the four corners, and a smaller pillar set within each recessed angle, the whole system forming an adequate support to the wide projecting Cave or *chajja*, and the triple cornice above A dwarf wall, richly empanelled with figure subjects, and surmounted by the leaning "seat-back." encloses the lower part of this arcade, while the upper portion being open presents vistas of its fine interior columnation. What remains of the roof shows that this was in the form of a low stepped pyramid, its horizontal lines being broken by innumerable miniature finials, while above each of the entrances was a group of sculpture. Restoration of this becomes possible owing to the fortunate circumstance that a few pieces of the cornice and lower parts of the roof and tower have survived in situ, so that the type or "order" of building to which the temple belonged is obvious from this clue The interior of the hall is composed of two aisles of pillars arranged along the diagonals of its square plan, thus producing a cruciform effect. By omitting the central pillars at the junction of these cross aisles, the octagonal space of the nave opens out in the middle of the hall, and above this rises the domed ceiling, elevated higher than the aisles by means of an attic story. As to dimensions the pillars are 13 feet high, the rim of the dome is 17 feet, with its centre 23 feet from the floor level.