History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c11.s1.59

c11.s1.59

*The Mahendra Style.*—The principles of the style of architecture adopted and popularized by Mahendravarman I have been studied in full by Prof. Jouveau-Dubreuil in his *Pallava Antiquities* and by Mr. A. H. Longhurst of the Archaeological Department. According to the former scholar the monuments of Mahendravarman’s period discovered hitherto are caves excavated in rocks. The pillars are formed of two cubical parts separated by a prismatic part. . . . These caves are all of them situated in Toṇḍamaṇḍalam and Tamil land, and are distinguished by (1) Sanctuaries destitute of Śōmaskanda image, (2) Circular *lingams*, (3) Dvārapālas of a peculiar posture, (4) Double-arched Tiruvātchi (*prabhā toraṇas*), (5) Cubical pillars. All of them are, besides subterranean *maṇḍapas*. The Archæological Report for 1918-19, Section 26, says: ‘A very characteristic feature about the temples in this style is the type of pillar found in them. These are about two feet square in section and seven feet in height. The upper and lower portions are cubical while the middle portion of shaft has the angles levelled off which makes the middle third octagonal in section. Sometimes the cubical portions are decorated with a conventional lotus flower design similar to the lotus medallions appearing on the stone rails of the Amarāvati stūpa. The capitals of the pillars are simple corbels or brackets supporting the architrave above. . . . Each pillar has a corresponding side pilaster.’