The Hindu Temple v1.c8.s4.23

v1.c8.s4.23

The oldest structural temple in Northern India hitherto excavated is the circular temple at Bairat (Virāṭ) in Jaipur state (ASIAR, 1935-36, pl. XXXIV, ; p. 84f. ; Cunningham, ASI., vol. I. p. 244 ; vol. VI. p. 91 ; Stuart Piggott ; l.c. Part IV). This temple, in its original form had an inner circle of 26 octagonal wooden pillars ; a circumambulatory enclosed by a brick wall surrounds it. It dates from about the 3-2nd century B.C. It is also a predecessor of the circular Malabar temples, for example at Vaikom, Trikotithanam, and many other places in Travancore, ancient Kerala, etc., built of laterite and wood. (cf. Viṣṇu temple persed occurrence of the flat roofed temple testifies to simplicities which are perennial in Indian art, which have remained practically unchanged.