Page:The Rock-cut Temples of India.djvu/303



HE Vimana itself, shown in the above view, is the most remarkable feature of the whole design, and also the most purely southern. It terminates in an octagonal dome, as is universally the case south of the Kistnah. Below this each angle of each storey has a square dome, and, in the centre, an oblong one. The interstices are filled in with sculpture, and sculptured ornaments of various kinds, giving an extreme variety of light and shade to the whole composition.

The temple at Dhumnar is the only other Hindoo temple of the same class as the Kylas; but it is as purely northern in design, and on the whole, perhaps, more elegant in style, though from its comparatively small dimensions, it is far from having the same effect.

The five smaller Temples which surround the great Vimana are similar in design, and, as may be supposed, add very much to the effect of the whole. 72