The Colas c35.49

c35.49

The superstructure of the *vimāna* has five diminishing storeys, the two lowermost extending over and including the *ardhamaṇḍapa*. The first storey (*tala*) is a string of complete miniature shrines running on the edge of the roof plate and inter-connected by a low parapet—the *pañjaras* corresponding in their position to the projecting bays in the walls below, and the parapet with its cornice to the recesses. The second *tala* repeats the same grouping of *pañjaras* as below, but the *ardhamaṇḍapa* part of it is simply a walled enclosure with a row of *nandis* along the edge on top. The third, fourth, and fifth storeys repeat the same arrangement of the *pañjaras* and are confined to the central shrine. Above the fifth storey rests the circular *grīva* with niches at the cardinal points flanked by outfacing *nandis* at the corners, and surmounted by a dome (*śikhara*) also circular, with an outward bulge across the middle and slightly splayed out at the bottom. The metal *stūpi* is now missing and only its central rod is *in situ*. Much of the top portion is covered and obscured by stucco and possibly this was the part plated with golden tiles by Kulōttunga III.