A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c21.118

c21.118

The additions made by the Nāyaks of Madura to the Ranganātha temple of Śrīrangam contributed in no small measure to make it by far the largest of South Indian temples. The outermost prākāra is a rectangle, 2,880 feet by 2,475. There are no fewer than six other prākāras within, making in all seven concentric enclosures round the shrine in the centre. The three outer enclosures are as much parts of the surrounding town as of the temple, and are remarkable only for some of their gōpuras. Of the two incomplete gōpuras on the outermost wall, that on the south or main approach would, if it had been finished according to plan, have attained a height of nearly 300 feet. The temple proper may be taken to begin at the fourth court of which the outer wall measures 1,235 feet by 849 feet, and has gōpuras on the north, south and east, the last being the finest and largest in the whole scheme. Near this gōpura at the north-eastern angle of the fourth enclosure is the Hall of a Thousand Pillars 500 feet by 160 feet. The celebrated ‘horse-court’ is also in this enclosure. The next or third enclosure has gōpuras on the north and the south, but the latter opening into the fine pillared garuḍamaṇḍapa is the main entrance. This enclosure contains two tanks named after the Sun and the Moon. The second enclosure is a covered court occupied mainly by pillared halls with a long processional passage on the western side. It has two entrances, from north and south. Within is the innermost enclosure with its entrance on the south side, its sides being 240 feet by 181 feet. The sanctuary is a circular chamber set within a square compartment and surrounded by a larger rectangular chamber; its position is indicated by its golden domical vimāna projecting above the flat roof.