The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c12.42

c12.42

The seven octagonal pillars behind the chaitya are plain, without caps or bases. The chaitya itself is also without any sculptured decoration, but it must be remembered that fresco painting on a ground of fine white plaster, together with painted banners hanging from the wooden ribs fitted in the roof, gave a rich glow of colour to the whole of the interior. The lower portion of the wooden tee, or pyramid of umbrellas (Vishnu’s tree), placed upon the Vedic altar on the top of the chaitya, still remains. The underside of each umbrella was carved with a lotus flower; the symbolism of the tee being analogous to that of Vishnu’s standard described above (pp. 62-3).