History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c24.s12.2

v2.c24.s12.2

The following woodcut (No. 302) representing the Châmunda-râya and Sâsana bastîs on the north side of the Chandragiri hill, with the stambha in front of the Pârswanâthaswâmi bastî, conveys an idea of their general external appearance, which is more ornamental than that of the generality of northern Jaina temples. The outer wall of those in the north is quite plain. The southern ones are as frequently ornamented with pilasters and crowned with a row of ornamental cells.¹ The Châmunda-râya temple is the most imposing on the hill, both in style and dimensions, and was probably erected about 1135 A.D. Externally it measures about 70 ft. in length, exclusive of the porch on the east face, by 36 ft. across. Inside is a mandapa, or hall about 28 ft. wide by 29½ ft. deep. The Dravidian mode of roofing does not accept the dome on an octagon, and here a square of four round columns, 8 ft. 4 in. between centres, is surrounded by another of twelve octagonal pillars, 19 ft. between the centres of the corner pillars. Behind the hall is a vestibule about 18 ft. wide by 6 ft. deep, from which the small shrine is entered—surrounded apparently by walls of unusual thickness to support the vimâna or spire.² The temple at the south side of this one is dedicated to Âdîswar, but known as the Sâsana bastî, built about the same time, but which has now lost its sikhara—probably destroyed by the Muhammadans.¹ The fine mâna-stambha, in the foreground, stands in front of the Pârswanâtha-