The Colas c35.56

c35.56

The *vimāna* is a tapering pyramid of six diminishing *talas* of which the two lowest cover the *ardhamaṇḍapa* also as at Dārāśuram and Tanjore. A very striking feature is the presence of two stout circular pilasters one on either side of the niche in the central *pañjara* of the first storey; these pilasters carry a *kūḍu* on top. This is a motif coming down from Pallava times and seen also in some early Cōḷa temples like the Ananteśvara at Uḍaiyārguḍi, Mūvarkōvil at Koḍumbāḷūr and Naltuṇai Īśvara in Puñjai. The recesses between these projecting *pañjaras* have miniature shrines in relief. The circular *grīva* and domical *śikhara* are apparently of brick and mortar while all the rest of the construction is of cut stone.