The Hindu Temple v1.c8.s4.19

v1.c8.s4.19

⁵⁸ The next stage in the aggrandisement of these temples is described by N. Venkata Ramanayya, ‘An Essay on the Origin of the South Indian Temple’, Madras 1930, where the two more simple types are also discussed. As the shrine of Bira-Devaru (ibid. p. 23 ; Thurston, ‘Castes and Tribes’, vol. IV. p. 153) shows, the flat roof is supported by four square corner pillars only. Their equivalents, in the shape of pilasters, play their part on the stone-block built Cola temples. Repeated, they flank every niche and articulate the otherwise flat walls (for instance Śiva temple in Mangudi, Kolathur Taluq, Pudukottai). A Pallava rock carved version of this type are the walls (only ; not the roof) of the Draupadī Ratha at Mamallapuram. The wall with pilasters is the result of a combination of two different types of temples. The dolmen type as a rule has plain walls and no pillars. In some instances, however, the large stone slab of the roof is placed on 4 small stones in the 4 corners. S. C. Roy, ‘The Mundas’, p. 465. Another kind of flat roofed shrine of ‘megalithic’ structure is the Śiva temple at Kuttikondabilam, Guntur ; its front is composed of large vertical stone slabs.