The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c9.23.1

v1.c9.23.1

**[43] Walls and pilasters:** The surfaces of the piers are, as already stated, broken into a number of pilasters, or engaged pillars having intermediate panels, or niches, filled with bas-reliefs or statues. The pilasters are of various sizes and proportions,—generally most elaborately carved and decorated, and the panels and niches have the most sumptuous bands and mouldings carved around them. In small temples these pilasters are generally, but not invariably, carried up in whole height of the body; but in large structures they are arranged as to give to the wall the appearance of two or three stories, each having its separate rows of pilasters, niches, panels, and blind doors. The artistic effect of this arrangement is remarkable. It helps greatly to diversify the appearance of the walls, and prevent all unnatural elongation of niches, panels and pilasters, and the aesthetic defect of placing niches over niches within one intercolumnistion, or having too much bare space over them. These members are merely architectural or ornamental; they do not, to any material extent, enter into the constructive economy of the temples, nor contribute much to their stability; it is not remarkable therefore that their size, make, and strength bear no relation to the size of the building to which they are attached.