Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 1.djvu/380

 33 2 DRAVIDIAN STYLE, BOOK III, It is a little difficult to say how it was intended to have been completed. The centre was occupied by a hall about 9 or 10 ft wide by 30 ft. open on one or probably both ^s"^- sides, and intended to be closed at both ends. This central hall was surrounded by a verandah measuring 5 ft. 3 in. in the clear on the sides, but only 3 ft. at the ends. There would then have been ten or twelve pillars in the centre and two at each end. One of these is represented in the annexed woodcut (No 1 88), and they are all of the same pattern, which, in fact, with very slight modifications, is universal at Mamallapuram. They all have bases repre- senting Vyalis or conven- tional lions, with spreading capitals, and of proportions perfectly suited to a building of the dimensions of this one, if executed in wood. The fourth and most southerly, however Dhar- maraja's rath is the finest and most interesting of the group. A view of it has already been given (Woodcut No. 89) and it is shown on the right hand of Woodcut No. 185. As will be seen from the annexed plan (No. 189), its dimensions are 26 ft. 9 in., by 28 ft. 8 in., and its height is rather more than 35 ft. It is consequently much larger than Arjuna's rath, but even with these dimensions it can only be considered as a model. The three upper storeys are ornamented with those little simulated cells mentioned above, and which are so universal in the south of India ; the front of each of these cells with their connecting links, is adorned with a representation of one of those semi-circular dormer windows which are so usual in Buddhist architecture. Here each has a human head looking outwards. Behind these cells the walls are divided by slender pilasters into narrow com- partments, and in each is placed the statue of a deity of the Hindu Pantheon, among which are found representations of 188. Pillar in Bhima's Rath. (From a Drawing by Mr. R. F. Chisholm.)