A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c21.70

c21.70

The Bhīma, Sahadeva and Gaṇeśa *rathas* are of the *caitya* type, oblong in plan, with two or more storeys, and barrel roofs with gable ends. The Sahadeva is apsidal, a form adopted in some later Pallava and early Chola temples, the shape of the latter specially designated *gajapṛṣṭha* (‘elephant back’). The Gaṇeśa is entered through a pillared portico on its long side. The oblong plan, diminishing storeys and barrel roofs with pinnacles (*kalaśas*) and gable ends of these *rathas* may well have suggested the design for the later *gōpuras*, or entrance towers of temples. All these *rathas* were most probably Śaiva in character and the figure sculpture on all of them is of the same high quality as in the *maṇḍapas*. Men and gods are sculptured in the most graceful forms, and the animal sculpture is superb. Deities have four arms, *dvārapālas* only two. For some unknown reason work on these monoliths was left incomplete, and we enter on the second phase of Pallava architecture marked entirely by structural temples in stone.