Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 2.djvu/125

 CHAP. II. HISTORY. 97 The oldest temple in the town of Bhuvane^war is prob- ably that called Parajurame^war (Woodcut No. 312), which, from the termination of the name, as well as the Linga in the cella, and subjects portrayed in the three principal niches of the tower, mark it as a -Saiva shrine. It may belong to the 7th century, though it may be as late as the 8th. Its style is certainly different from the other early temples here, and more like what we find at other places outside the province. It is not large, being only 20 ft. square l at its base ; but its sculptures are cut with a delicacy seldom surpassed, and there is an appropriateness about the ornaments greater than is seen in most of the temples. The temple itself is apparently 42 ft. in height, and from the summit to the base it is covered with sculptures of the most elaborate character, 2 but still without detracting from the simplicity and vigour of its outline. If I am correct in assigning so early a date to the tower of this temple, it is evident that the porch must be a subsequent addition, because it fits badly to the tower. It may, however, be that if this is really the oldest temple of its class in Orissa, its design may be copied from a foreign example, and borrowed, with all its peculiarities, from a style practised elsewhere. Be that as it may, it is interesting as showing the mode by which light was sometimes introduced into the porches of these temples between the ends of the beams of the stone roof. As the sloping roofing - stones project considerably beyond the openings, a subdued light is introduced, without either the direct rays of the sun, or the rain being able to penetrate. 3 The temple of Mukte^war (Woodcut No. 313) is very similar in general design to that of Para.yurame.ywar, but even richer and more varied in detail, and its porch partakes more of the regular Orissan type. It has no pillars internally, and the roof externally exhibits at least the germ of what we find in the porches of the great temple at Bhuvane^war and the Black Pagoda. Its dimensions are somewhat less than those of the last temple described, but in its class it may be considered the gem of Orissan architecture. 4 1 This dimension is from Babu Rajen- dralal's ' Orissa Antiquities,' vol. i. p. 41, but I don't like it. [Judging from a photograph the estimated height being about 43 ft. this dimension seems to be at least 27 ft.] 2 G. Le Bon, ' Les Monuments de 1'Inde,' p. 70 and figs. 49, 50. 3 This temple has of late been in the hands of the official, and we learn that it " has been thoroughly restored ; the whole roof of the mandapa was dismantled and rebuilt." 'Archaeological Survey Annual Report, 1902-03,' p. 46. 4 This temple is surrounded by "a number of small shrines, and close to it also stands the temple of Siddhervara, a larger structure. All the shrines are inferior works of art, but nevertheless they have all been restored." Dr. T. Bloch, ibid. p. 46. No survey is mentioned as having been made. VOL. II G