OBJECTS OF RELIGIOUS CEREMONIAL 107 



distinguishing feature of the Dravidian temple is the pillared halls, 

 called choultries, which occupy the spaces between the various 

 inclosures. They range in size from a small pavilion on four columns 

 to a magnificent ''hall of a thousand pillars." These pillars are often 

 of close-knit granite and covered with sculptures from base to capital 

 in a way that in most instances no two are exactly alike. These 

 halls serve various purposes, as porches for the convenience of pil- 

 grims, halls of ceremony, etc. 



The temple at Tanjore, in Mysore, is considered as the oldest and 

 best preserved example of Dravidian art. It probably belongs to the 

 tenth century A. D., and was dedicated to Siva. It stands in a 

 courtyard of 500 by 250 feet. The base of the shrine is 82 feet square, 

 and is in two stories. Above this rises the pyramidal tower through 

 13 stories to a height of 190 feet, crowned with a dome said to consist 

 of a single stone. But for vastness of dimensions it is surpassed by 

 the unfinished Vishnu temple at Seringam, near Trichinopoly. It 

 stands with its gilded dome, holding an image of the god, in the 

 center of 7 inclosures, which are crowned with 16 gate pyramids. 

 The outer inclosure extends 2,865 by 2,520 feet. The great pillared 

 hall measures 500 by 138 feet, resting on 953 columns, each of a 

 single block of granite and aU carved more or less elaborately. 



While the pyramidal tower recalls the terraced temple towers of 

 Babylonia, the pyramidal gateways, or gopuras, suggest the pylons, 

 or doorways with their massive towers which led to the forecourt 

 of the Egyptian temples, and the hall of columns, or choultrie, answers 

 to the Egyptian hypostyle hall, so called from its covered colonnade 

 which, like its Hindu counterpart, was used for processions and other 

 ceremonies, and beliind which stood the small shrine in which the 

 god dwelt. Height, 13 inches; length, 12 inches; width, Tji inches, 

 Madura District, Madras Presidency, South India. (Plate 29 (lower), 

 Cat. No. 259679, U.S.N.M.) 



48. Throne for the images of divinities (sinhasana). — Made of brass. 

 The throne upon which the images of the gods are seated forms an 

 important and ornate object in a Hindu temple. It is usually sup- 

 ported by lions (sinha), trampling on elephants. Calcutta, India. 

 (Cat. No. 92742, U.S.N.M.) Gift of Rajah Sourmdro Mohun 

 Tagore. 



49. Throne for the image of a god. — Made of brass. Benares, India. 

 (Cat. No. 154848, U.S.N.M.) 



50. Linga holder (falari). — Made of brass. The linga (phalhc 

 emblem) is the symbol under which Siva, the destroyer and re- 

 generator, is represented and worshiped. It is also carried by the 

 devout followers of Siva about their persons. India. (Cat. No. 

 154850, U.S.N.M.) 



