History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c25.s8.47

v2.c25.s8.47

One more illustration must conclude what we have at present to say of Hindû rock-cut temples. It is the temple of Panchâlesvara at Bhâmburdê near Poona, and is but little known, though much more appropriate to cave architecture than most examples of its class. The temple itself is a simple pillared hall, with eight pillars in front, and possibly had originally a structural sikhara built on the upper plateau to mark the position of the sanctuary (Woodcut No. 334). The most original part of it, however, is the Nandi pavilion, which stands in the courtyard in front of the temple (Woodcut No. 333).¹ It is circular in plan, and its roof—which is a great slab of rock—was supported by sixteen square pillars of very simple form—four within and twelve in the circumference,—of which four have now crumbled and fallen. Altogether it is as appropriate a bit of design as is to be found in Hindû cave architecture. It has, however, the defect—only too common in those Hindû excavations—that, being in a pit, it can be looked down upon; which is a test very few buildings can stand, and to which none ought to be exposed.²