History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v1.c19.s11.4

v1.c19.s11.4

The only part of the temple, outside the central prâkâram, at least, which is of a different age from the rest, is a small vimâna, known as Gandhamâdhanesvara (A), of very elegant proportions, that stands in the garden, on the right hand of the visitor as he enters from the west. It has, however, been so long exposed — like the temple on the shore at Mâmallapuram—to the action of the sea-air, that its details are so corroded they cannot now be made out, and its age cannot consequently be ascertained from them. It is safe, however, to assert that possibly it may be of the 11th or 12th century. Its dimensions may be roughly 50 ft. in height, by 34 ft. in plan, so that it hardly forms a feature in so large a temple. From the bulls that occupy the platform in front, and from its name, it is evident it was originally dedicated to Siva, as the central temple apparently is, though the scene of Râma's most celebrated exploit, and bearing his name.¹