The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c17.36

c17.36

The inside of the verandah of the second monastic hall with the remains of its fine painted ceiling is shown in Pl. XLII. The next plate gives a fine impression of the stately magnificence of the interior. The pillars which support the roof are similar to those of the verandah, only the proportions are more massive. It is somewhat smaller than the first hall, being only 48 feet square instead of 64 feet, the dimensions of the former, but the arrangements are similar. The sanctuary with an image of Buddha is on the side facing the entrance, with a smaller cell for another image on either side of it. The scholars' or neophytes' cells, ten in number, are placed along the two sides of the hall at right angles to the shrine. Two larger cells at each end of the verandah provided accommodation for the Abbot and his deputy. The arrangements of the first monastic hall (fig. 50) are nearly the same, but on a somewhat more ample scale.