Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c31.30

c31.30

As is not uncommon in Jain temples the exterior of the Vimala has no special architectural character, all the effect being reserved for the interior. Entrance is obtained through a domed porch on the east, facing which is a six-pillared pavilion with a *samosan*, or conventional representation of the holy mountain of the Jains in the centre, surrounded by ten statues of the founder Vimala and his family each seated on an elephant, this earthly portrait gallery being set apart from the sacred halls of the gods. Passing into the cloistered courtyard it will be seen that the temple resolves itself into an orderly grouping of pillars forming an open portico and vestibule, beyond which is an enclosed portion containing the shrine. The central feature of this columned hall is the usual octagonal space, or nave, produced by an arcade of eight pillars supporting the dome. At the far end of this on a slightly higher level is the vestibule, extending across the width of the building like a transept having two rows of pillars, and out of this opens the doorway to the shrine. Some idea of the proportions of the columned hall may be gained from its measurements, the octagonal nave being 25 feet in diameter, the architrave alone being 12 feet from the floor, while the apex of the dome is less than 30 feet high. As with most of the temples of this class, the rim of the dome is supported on an attic system of dwarf pillars with convoluted braces between, and all the capitals are of the four-branched bracket order.