History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v1.c19.s10.18

v1.c19.s10.18

Although this temple has been aggregated at different ages, and grown by accident rather than design, like those at Tiruvâlûr and Srîrangam just described, it avoids the great defect of these temples, for though like them it has no tall central object to give dignity to the whole from the outside, internally the centre of its great court is occupied by a tank, round which the various objects are grouped without at all interfering with one another. The temple itself is one important object, to the eastward of it: the Pârvatî temple, another on the north, and forms a pleasing pendant to the 1000-columned châuari on the south. On the north side of the Pârvatî another temple (D) was commenced (Woodcut No. 220), called the Pândyanâyaka-kovil, with a portico of square pillars, four in front, and all most elaborately ornamented, but in such a manner as not to interfere with their outline or solidity. For long it stood in an unfinished and ruined state, but has of late been restored. This temple was dedicated to Shânmukha or Subrahmanya; but we cannot feel sure of its age. From its position, however, and the character of its ornamentation, there seems little doubt that it belongs to the end of the 17th and first half of the 18th century. From its style, however, I would be inclined to ascribe it to the earlier date. The main buildings are enclosed within high walls of dressed granite; outside are four "car streets," 60 feet wide; and the whole area belonging to the temple is about 39 acres.