Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/686

 628 COMPARATIVE ARCHITFXTURE. (a.d. 1224), (No. 274). The double temple at the latter place is placed on a terrace 5 feet high, the temples being side by side. In front of each is a detached pillared porch containing a shrine for the idol. The walls are exceedingly rich in sculpture, and have friezes 700 feet long, carved with numerous representations of elephants, lions, horsemen, birds, and bas-reliefs of scenes representing the conquest of Ceylon. (c.) DRAVIDIAN ARCHITECTURE (a.d. 1350-1750). Raths. — The rock-cut examples known as " Raths " at Mahavellipore (near Madras), and Ellora (a.d. 750-950), are peculiar (No. 275). They differ from other rock-cut examples, being monolithic free standing temples, the surrounding rock being cut away so that external facades are visible. Temples. — The normal type, as in the Jaina examples, has a square vimana to contain the image of the deity, and is crowned with a many-storied pyramidal roof; in front is a " mantapa " or porch (No. 276). In addition are the " choultries " or halls of 1,000 columns, placed close to the Temples, and the characteristic " gopuras," or gate pyramids (No. 277), forming entrances to the inclosures which usually surround the shrines. In conjunction are planned the shrines, lakes (or tanks of water for religious purposes), and flights of steps ; such are often grouped with little regard to symmetry, and enclosed by a high wall, as in Egyptian temples. Tanjore (fourteenth century), with its thirteen-storied highly- enriched pyramidal sikra (No. 276), Mandura (a.d. 1623-1645), with its celebrated Gopura (No. 277), and Choultrie, 333 feet by 105 feet, and columns with life-sized sculptured figures attached ; Seringham (seventeenth century), with its fifteen great gopuras, Tinnevelly, with its double temple and hall of 1,000 columns, Conjeveram, Vellore (a.d. 1350), Tarputry (No. 278), and Chillambaram (seventeenth and eighteenth century), are the best known monuments. 4. COMPARATIVE. Note. — In order to assist the student, the analysis of the three styles — Buddhist, Jaina, Hindu (or Brahman) — is taken in one table. A. Plans. (a.) Buddhist. — The remains of Buddhist Chaityas (Temples) are all hewn out of the rock, and therefore have only one external fa9ade. In plan they resemble Christian Cathedrals in having three aisles formed by two rows of piers ; the sanctuary, around which the aisle is carried, is semi-circular.