History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c47.74.2

v2.c47.74.2

The bands of the *Śikhara* on the sides are really innumerable chaitya-windows, superimposed, in fret work. In the *Vimāna* of the Liṅgarāja we see the next step, in which the ornament consists of a large chaitya-window above, and a smaller one in projection in front of it, while below the smaller chaitya-window there is a third, of about the same size. The larger chaitya-window contains two circular medallions while the same number are to be found in the two smaller ones. The chaitya-window motif is amply used over this facet, at the base of which this collection of chaitya-windows has been placed. A similar arrangement is to be found in the central facet of the northern facade also. Slightly diversified is the chaitya-window in the central facet of the northern facade of the *Jagamohana*, but here there is a bas-relief below it and a miniature temple on each flank. This arrangement occupies the central area of six out of the nine steps in the lowest tier of the pyramidal roof. There is a similar arrangement in the second tier where the chaitya-windows occupy five out of seven steps, but in this case there are *Śikharas* instead of stepped pyramids on the miniature temples on the sides. There is only one chaitya-window with two medallions. Exactly the same arrangement is to be found in the central facet of the southern facade of the *Jagamohana*. The large and beautiful chaitya-window on the ends of the Vaitāl Deul are slightly earlier.