Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 2.djvu/75

 CHAP. III. TEMPLE AT RANPUR. 47 principal entrance is double, having a second dome over the inner, supported by the very unusual number of sixteen columns, and is 34 ft. in diameter, the others being only 21 J ft. Light is admitted to the building by four uncovered courts 1 at the sides of these domes, and forming the corners of a rectangle round the shrine 105 ft. from west to east by 95 ft. across. Around this are twelve domes three on each side with the four smaller shrines already mentioned in the corners, and the whole is surrounded by a bhamti or range of cells for images, each of which has a pyramidal roof of its own. The internal effect of this forest of columns may be gathered from the view (Woodcut No. 289) taken across one of its courts ; but it is impossible that any view can reproduce the endless variety of perspective and the play of light and shade which results from the disposition of the pillars, and of the domes, and from the mode in which the light is introduced. A wonderful effect also results from the number of cells, most of them con- taining images of the Tirthankaras, which everywhere meet the view. Besides the twelve under the larger jikharas there are eighty-six cell shrines of varied form and size surrounding the interior, many of them connected by inside passages, and all their facades more or less adorned with sculpture. The general external effect of the Ranpur temple may be judged of by the photograph, Plate XXII.; owing to its lofty basement, and the greater elevation of the principal domes, it gives a more favourable impression of a Jaina temple than is usually the case the greatest defect of these buildings as architectural designs being the want of ornament on their exterior faces ; this, however, is more generally the case in the older than in the more modern temples. The immense number of parts in the building, and their general smallness, prevents its laying claim to anything like architectural grandeur ; but their variety, their beauty of detail no two pillars in the whole building being exactly alike the grace with which they are arranged, the tasteful admixture of domes of different heights with flat ceilings, and the mode in which the light is introduced, combine to produce an excellent effect. Indeed, I know of no other building in India, of the same class, that leaves so pleasing an impression, or affords so 1 In the north-west court grows the Rajadana or Rayana tree, sacred to Adinath, and a necessary adjunct of his temple, whilst beneath it is a slab carved with his Paduka or footprints, represent- ing the spiritual authority of the Tirthankara. The two west courts are about 20 ft. by 37^ ft. and the two on the east about 26 ft. square, but with the inner corner of each cut off by a corner of the central platform.