The Hindu Temple v1.c8.s7.4

v1.c8.s7.4

The height of the storeys (bhūmi) of the pyramidal superstructure diminishes, on certain temples, in an arithmetical progression; each successive storey is ¼ or also ⅕ less than the lower. In this progression however is not included the ground floor (samsthāna) of the temple. In order to moderate the abrupt superposition of the pyramid with its miniature storeys on the relatively high wall of the ‘cubical’ Garbhagṛha, this wall frequently appears divided externally in two storeys, each complete with its base, pillars, capitals and roof cornice. This architectural consideration belongs to the Cola age (Temples at Tanjore, 1000 A.D.; Gangaikonda Colapuram about 1025 A.D.); and while later temples show an increase in the number of simulated storeys on the walls of the Garbhagṛha (Temple at Tiruvarur, about 1600 A.D.), Pallava temples are free from this aesthetic deceit (Shore temple at Mamallapuram, Kailāsanātha temple at Kāñcipuram (650-700 A.D. approximately). See Plates LI-LIII; LVII-LIX in P. Brown, ‘Indian Architecture’ and Part VI.