The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c20.26

c20.26

The comparative dimensions of the Kailâsa temple and the Virûpâksha temple at Pattadakal can be seen in figs. 60 and 56, which are drawn to the same scale. The general view of the former from the north-west is given in Pl. LXVI. The block in front is the outer gopuram, or entrance, with a fragment of the adjoining walls crowned with the lotus-leaf battlement which is so conspicuous in later Muhammadan fortresses, mosques, and tombs. The first part of the temple inside the gopuram is the two-storied Brahmâ shrine for Siva's bull, connected with the gopuram by a bridge cut into the rock. On either side of this shrine are two fine dhwaja-stambhas, nearly 50 feet high, surmounted by Siva's three-pronged ensign, the trisula, the symbol of the three Aspects. Another bridge connects the Nandi shrine with the splendid porch, or gopuram, which is the front entrance to the twelve-pillared mandapam leading into the antarâla and the holy of holies. The section given in Pl. LXV through the corresponding north and south gopurams shows the arrangement of the interior of the mandapam. It closely follows the design of the Pattadakal temple, but it is considerably larger and more ornate. It is lighted by the gopuram doors, by two other doors opening into the terrace surrounding the vimâna, and also by six windows of almost the same design as those of the Virûpâksha temple which have been already illustrated. The walls of the mandapam on the north, south, and west are decorated with panels of figure sculpture illustrating various mythological subjects, such as that of Dûrgâ slaying the buffalo-demon Mahishâsura, probably an allegory of pyramidal tower of the holy of holies is of the Siva type, based upon the piling up of the yogi's cubicle, as before explained, the crowning member being the stûpa dome. The whole of the main block, including the vimâma, the antarâla, and the mandapam, rests upon a basement, about 27 feet in height, sculptured with a magnificent dado of elephants in very bold relief which seem to be supporting the temple on their backs. The large intervening panels beneath the north and south gopurams of the mandapam are filled with groups of figure sculpture. The fine one under the south gopuram, illustrating the legend of the demon king, Ravana, being imprisoned by Siva under Kailâsa when he impiously attempted to remove it bodily to has this glittering marvel in the centre of it. If the temple were detached from its surroundings and stood in the open, like the Siva's matted locks, were here appropriately worshipped at the gates of his paradise. The goddess Gangâ, standing on a makara, is in the centre; on her right is Sarasvatî with a lotus flower as a pedestal; and the goddess Jumna standing on a tortoise holds the left. The seven sculptured panels on the