A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c21.71

c21.71

These structural temples again fall into two groups—the Rājasimha group (*c.* 700-800), and the Nandivarman group (800-900). There are six examples of the former: three at Māmallapuram (the Shore, Īśvara and Mukunda temples), one at Panamalai (South Arcot district), and the temples of Kailāsanātha and Vaikuṇṭhaperumāl at Kāñchipuram. The earliest of them was doubtless the Shore temple (Pl. VIIIa). Its excellent workmanship is proved by its having withstood, in a very exposed position, the action of wind and sea and the shifting sands of the shore. The plan of the temple is somewhat unusual. Its cella faces the sea and is located almost at the water’s edge. The usual adjuncts to the temple had therefore to be accommodated in its rear. A massive enclosing wall surrounds the central building and entry into the open courtyard is obtained from the west. Two additional shrines were attached as an afterthought to the western end of the main shrine, one of which has a smaller *vimāna* and presents the appearance at first sight of being the main entrance. These additions go far to account for the unusual, though by no means unpleasing, appearance of the Shore temple with its two *vimānas*. Clearly the buildings in this temple are a logical development from the Dharmarāja *ratha*, allowance being made for the change from the rock-cut to the structural technique. At the same time there is a marked attempt, particularly in the treatment of the *vimānas*, to leave the idea of the *vihāra* behind and evolve a lighter and more rhythmic tower. The lion motif, particularly, in the pilasters becomes more developed, and in the Shore temple, as Brown remarks, ‘this heraldic lion, erect and holding up a Dravidian capital, projects from every angle, and is also introduced at intervals around the lower part of the entire building’. The outer enclosure contained a system of shallow cisterns holding water brought by conduits, any overflow being led into the sea. The parapet of the imposing surrounding wall was crowned by figures of couchant bulls and all round the exterior there were boldly carved lion pilasters at close intervals. The richly ornamented doorway on the west led into a *maṇḍapa* of which only the foundations remain.