The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c14.37

c14.37

Pl. XXXIV is a beautiful example of a brick sikhara, illustrating the composite style, called by Fergusson "Chalukyan," in which both the Vishnu and Siva principles of construction are combined in one sikhara. The amalaka, Vishnu's symbol, is used as an ornament in the horizontal courses of the brickwork, and the sikhara would be crowned with Siva's symbol, the stûpa dome, instead of by the amalaka. In the present instance the dome has fallen. Pl. XXXV, from another temple, shows the fine brickwork on a larger scale, with some of the white stucco which covered it.