Nothing reliable can by adduced concerning the age of the existing structural temples of India, which are called pagodas, from the word bhagarati, <em>i.e.</em> sacred house. They belong to both antiquity and modern times. Some of these pagodas are wonderfully large and magnificent. The consist of one or more quadrangular courts with towers at the corners, surrounded by a wall (a). Large pyramids (b) rising in stages cover the entrance, behind which extend colonnades.

Ground Plan of the Pagoda at Chillimbaram

Nothing reliable can by adduced concerning the age of the existing structural temples of India, which…

Nothing reliable can by adduced concerning the age of the existing structural temples of India, which are called pagodas, from the word bhagarati, <em>i.e.</em> sacred house. They belong to both antiquity and modern times. Some of these pagodas are wonderfully large and magnificent. The consist of one or more quadrangular courts with towers at the corners, surrounded by a wall. Large pyramids rising in stages cover the entrance (shown here), behind which extend colonnades.

Entrance to a Pagoda

Nothing reliable can by adduced concerning the age of the existing structural temples of India, which…

All these buildings are of a pyramidal shape, with vertical stages, which are separated by curved roofs and terminate above in the from of a cupola. Rows of small cupolas stand out from the roofs of the stages. The walls of these stages are covered in a bewildering way with pilasters and niches, with intricately cut cornices, with varied intersecting mouldings, and with manifold and fantastic embellishments and carvings. Here is the entrance gate of the temple at Chillimbaram.

Temple of Chillimbaram Entrance Elevation

All these buildings are of a pyramidal shape, with vertical stages, which are separated by curved roofs…