History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c25.s17.4

v2.c25.s17.4

The temple, as it now stands, consists of a cruciform porch, internally nearly quite perfect, though externally it is not clear how it was intended to be finished (Woodcuts Nos. 350, 351).² The *antarâla* or inner mandap of the original temple was afterwards apparently converted into a shrine, and is perfect internally—and used for worship—but the sikhara is gone, having been destroyed along with the cella; after which the antarâla was made into a shrine.³ Though not large, its dimensions are respectable, the porch measuring 117 ft. east and west, by 105 ft. north and south, and is covered by a true vault, built with radiating arches—the only instance, except one, known to exist in a Hindû temple in the north of India. On each side of the original shrine are two side chapels. Over the four arms of the cross the vault is plain, and of 23½ ft. span, but in the centre it expands to 35 ft., and is quite equal in design to the best Gothic vaulting known. It is the external design of this temple, however, which is most remarkable. The angles are accentuated with singular force and decision, and the openings, which are more than sufficient for that climate, are picturesquely arranged and pleasingly divided. It is, however, the combination of vertical with horizontal lines, covering the whole surface, that forms the great merit of the design. This is, indeed, not This page is blank and contains no text, headings, figures, footnotes, or page furniture to transcribe.