History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v1.c19.s12.18

v1.c19.s12.18

Immediately in front of his chaultri, Tirumalai Nâyyak commenced his Râya gopuram, which, had he lived to complete it, would probably have been the finest edifice of its class in southern India. It measures 174 ft. from north to south, and 117 feet in depth. The entrance through it is 21 ft. 9 in. wide; and if it be true that its gateposts are 57 ft. in height, that would have been the height of the opening.¹ It will thus be seen that it was designed on even a larger scale than that at Srîrangam, described above, and it certainly far surpasses that celebrated edifice in the beauty of its details. Its doorposts alone are single blocks of granite, carved with the most exquisite scroll patterns of elaborate foliage, and all the other carvings are equally beautiful. Being unfinished, and consequently never consecrated, it has escaped whitewash, and alone, of all the buildings of Madurâ, its beauties can still be admired in their original perfection.