Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 1.djvu/357

 CHAP. I. INTRODUCTORY. 309 south of India. It is only by observing the images or emblems worshipped, or by reading the stories represented in the numerous sculptures with which a temple is adorned, that we find out the god to whom it is dedicated. Whoever he may be, the temples consist almost invariably of the four following parts, arranged in various manners, as afterwards to be explained, but differing in themselves only according to the age in which they were executed : 1. The principal part, the actual temple itself, is called the Vimdna. 1 It is always square in plan, and surmounted by a pyramidal roof of one or more storeys ; and it contains the cell in which the image of the god or his emblem is placed. . 2. The porches or Mantapams^ which always cover and precede the door leading to the cell. 3. Gate-pyramids, Gopurams? which are the principal features in the quadrangular enclosures that surround the more notable temples. 4. Pillared halls or Chaultris properly Ckdwadts* used for various purposes, and which are the invariable accompani- ments of these temples. Besides these, a temple always contains tanks or wells for water to be used either for sacred purposes or the convenience of the priests dwellings for all the various grades of the priest- hood are attached to it, and numerous other buildings for state or convenience. 1 Vimdna is generally used to designate "a chariot" or vehicle of the gods, a moving palace ; hence it includes the shrine and spire. a In Sanskrit Mandapa, a pavilion or open porch, thence a hall, and a temple. 3 Gopura means a town gate, hence an entrance, applied to the lofty towers over the entries to southern temples. The later style of gopurams dates from the 1 6th century, and do not properly belong to the original Dravidian temples. They were probably intended for purposes of defence against invasion and plunder. 4 ChdwattoT Chdwadi is a public lodging place, a shelter for travellers.