The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c8.50

v1.c8.50

**Enclosing Wall** : This fourfold building is generally surrounded by a high wall, enclosing a large area of ground which forms what was in Grecian temples called *ieron* or *temenos*, "the sacred enclosure," which included all the appurtenances of the sanctuary : sometimes a second wall was built round the first, producing two courtyards, an inner and an outer one. The walls, which may be likened to the *peri Bolos* or sacred fence of the Greeks, were invariably plain, both inside and outside in marked contrast to Buddhist railings which are most elaborately sculptured. At Bhuvaneśvara the wall is capped with a simple coping, sloped on the upper surface, and having a projecting drip to prevent the wet from running down the surface of the wall ; but at Puri and Koṇārak, they are ornamented with Saracenic battlements.