Conjeeveram. Kailasanath Temple, detail of upper portion.

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Collections	Arthur Llewellyn Basham
Title:	Conjeeveram. Kailasanath Temple, detail of upper portion.
Author(s):	Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham
Keywords:	Pallava-- Kanchipuram (Conjeeveram) - Pallava;architecture;stone sculpture;slide set
Series/Report no.:	Basham Collection
Description:	This beautiful detail of the upper portion of the main shrine gives us a good idea of the profusion of decorative elements employed in Pallavan architectural decoration at this phase in its development. Animals, in this case Nandi bulls (the vehicle of Siva, to whom the temple is dedicated), appear amid jewel-like garlands and the tiny vestigial lookout posts of the tower. Siva in kingly repose, sits near the top of the gopuram, practically dwarfed by the huge capstone crowning the tower. The very elaborate 'brimming vase' motif is clearly visible and resembles a highly ornate palace pavilion rather than an overturned pot from which it is said to derive. One can easily see why the temple has been called a 'Magic Mountain.'
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/1885/176815
Other Identifiers:	ANUA 682-1819

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ANUA_682_1819.tif		16.42 MB	TIFF

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