History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v1.c19.s14: Kumbakonam.
History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v1.c19.s14
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Kumbakonam.
v1.c19.s14.1
If the traditions of the natives could be trusted, Kumbakonam—one of the old capitals of the Chola dynasty—is one of the places where we might hope to find something very ancient. There are fragments of older temples, indeed, to be found everywhere, but none *in situ*. All the older buildings seem to have been at some time ruined and rebuilt, probably on the same site, but with that total disregard to antiquity which is characteristic of the Hindûs in all ages as it is of our modern "restorers." One portico, in a temple dedicated to Srî-Râma, is very like that leading from the second to the third gopuram in the temple of Jumbukeswara, described above, but, if anything, it is slightly more modern. There is also one fine gopuram in the town, represented in the woodcut (No. 231). It is small, however, in comparison with those we have just been describing, being only 84 ft. across and about 130 ft. in height. Those of Srîrangam and Madurâ have, or were intended to have, at least double these dimensions.
v1.c19.s14.2
231. Gopuram at Kumbakonam. (From a Photograph.)
v1.c19.s14.3
It is, however, a richly-ornamented example of its class, and the preceding woodcut conveys a fair impression of the effect of these buildings generally. It is not old enough to be quite of the best age, but it is still not so modern as to have lost all the character and expression of the earlier examples.