Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 2.djvu/419

 CHAP. I. SQUARE TEMPLES. 355 Bey lie the plan of Nan Paya is about 33 ft. square, with a central and four other- piers inside, each measuring 6 ft. 6 in. square, carrying the roof; externally this is stepped back and in the centre is a square moulded plinth with a dormer window on each side through which light is thrown on to the images inside, the whole being crowned with a jikhara. The temple is preceded by a vestibule 24 ft. wide and 18 ft. deep, which is lighted by a window on each side. On each of the other sides of the temple are three windows flanked by pilasters, carrying a pediment of enriched design (Plate XXXIX.) bearing considerable resemblance to those in Cambodia. The filling of the window is said to be in stone, which is the case in that of the Kyaukku temple, but in this case the jointing suggests a brick material. The plan of Nagayon is similar to that of Nan Paya, but there are five windows on each of the three sides. Greater importance is also given to the vestibule, which consists of central and side aisles, the former of greater height so that the section resembles that of a Christian church, without, however, any clerestory windows, the vestibule being lighted by windows in the side aisles. Both of these temples are of considerable importance on account of the rich ornament carved externally and internally. The design and style of this ornament is similar to that which is found in the lower storey of the temple of Kyaukku in the most northern part of Pagan. This was considered by Forchammer to be a remnant of North Indian Buddhism, which existed in Burma before the introduction of the Southern Buddhist school from Thaton. Plate XXXIX. represents the rich type of ornament carved on the internal piers of Nan Paya ; the upper portion or frieze consists of gorgon heads or Kirttimukhs carrying beaded festoons and pendants. This is repeated as an external frieze at the same temple, as also at Kyaukku and Nagayon. In later work, and more particularly as a decora- tion round the bell-shaped dagabas of the zedts, it is constantly employed. The decoration of the lower part of the pier (Plate XXXV.) consists of the gorgon head to a larger scale, carrying foliage arranged to form a pendant, with bead pendants between. A somewhat similar decoration of pendants is found on pilasters as on those of the window at Nan Paya (Plate XXXIX.) and on the angle pilasters of many of the great temples in Pagan. The gorgon heads, beaded festoons and pendants are occasionally found on Chinese bronzes, easy of importation, so that it may have been from China or Lhasa that these decorative features were taken and reproduced, not only in Burma, but in Cambodia and Java. The temples of Nan Paya and Nagayon are generally con-