History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v1.c19.s11.1

v1.c19.s11.1

If it were proposed to select one temple which should exhibit all the beauties of the Dravidian style in their greatest perfection, and at the same time exemplify all its characteristic defects of design, the choice would almost inevitably fall on that at Râmesvaram, in the island of Pâmbâm² (Woodcut No. 224). In no other temple has the same amount of patient industry been exhibited as here, and in none, unfortunately, has that labour been so thrown away for want of a design appropriate for its display. It is not that this temple has grown by successive increments like those last described; for it was finished on a settled plan, as undeviatingly carried out as that at Tanjor, but on a principle so opposed to it, that while the temple at Tanjor produces an effect greater than is due to its mass or detail, this one, with double its dimensions and ten times its elaboration, produces no effect externally, and internally can only be [Figure: 224. Plan of the Great Temple at Râmesvaram, before 1905. Scale 168 ft. to 1 in. A Gandhamâdana old temple. B Great Gopuram and entry to the second Prâkâram. C Small Gopuram for the Amman shrine. N North, S, South, and W, West gopurams.]