Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c38.13

c38.13

Such is one of the characteristics of the later temples of Bengal, but there are further features, individual in their treatment, which differentiate this style of architecture from that of other parts Over the curved roof a tower is erected, and according to the number of these the temples were classified, for instance that with a cluster of five towers or turrets, was referred to as a *puncha-ratna*, literally five gems, meaning towers, or *nava-ratna*, nine towered and so forth Wherever there is a cornice to these towers or turrets, it is also curved in keeping with the regional practice, while the upper portion of the tower forms itself into a kind of sikhara, with horizontal courses of moulding. The facade usually consists of three arched openings comprising the entrance, each opening separated by a substantial pillar, the arches themselves being of the pointed variety often engrailed with numerous prominent cusps The pillars are remarkable, as they are not only exceptional in their proportions, but these massive supports found favour in most of the different phases of architecture as developed in other places in Bengal. In no part of India have such ponderous piers been employed, so that this abnormally wide and often short type of pillar is specially characteristic of the building art in this eastern region.