South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c6.s2.6

c6.s2.6

The Pallavas were succeeded by the Chōla kings, who are justly entitled to be regarded as the greatest temple-builders of Southern India. About 90 per cent of the temples now found were erected in their time. They are generally dedicated either to Siva or Vishnu, and in their simplest form consist of a cell called the *Garbha-griha*,—the central shrine, surmounted by a spire or dome, with a hall in front, called *Mukha-mandapa* and a narrow passage or vestibule connecting the two, called the *Ardha-mandapa*, which is open on two sides to permit of the priestly worshippers circumambulating the central shrine. In the *Mukha-mandapa* or just outside it will be placed the image of the deity’s chief vehicle, the Nandi-bull in Siva temples and the Garuda-bird in Vishnu temples. This is generally the limit up to which the non-Brahman classes are allowed to come. Round and outside of these are the *Mahā-mandapa*, the big hall, and other pavilions in which on special occasions processional images of the deity are placed and worshipped. Next after the *Mahā-mandapa* there will be two raised platforms, one behind the other, on one of which is planted the flagstaff or *dhvaja-stambha*, made of stone, wood or metal, and on the other is offered what is called the *Sribali*, when sacrificial cooked food and flowers are offered to the minor divinities or powers who have to be appeased in order to ward off all evil and to prevent disturbance to the ordinary conduct of the daily worship. It is only up to this limit that foreigners are allowed to enter the temples by the orthodox Hindu.