Photo 212/1(2)

Genre: Architectural Photography

View looking northwards towards the unfinished gateway to the Ranganatha Temple at Srirangam, with a further gopura visible through the opening. The gopura is unfinished, with only the base constructed: it was only finally completed in 1987 and is today one of the tallest such structures in southern India. Lyon's 'Notes to accompany a series of photographs prepared to illustrate the ancient architecture of southern India' (Marion and Co., London, 1870), edited by James Fergusson, gives the following description of this photograph: '251 - The town of Trichinopoly is situated on the right bank of the Cauvery river, which, a mile-and-a-half north of the town, separates into two branches, and forms the island of Seringham, on which are two celebrated pagodas that have always commanded the veneration of the Hindus. The island is fourteen miles long by two miles broad, and at its western end is situated the principal pagoda dedicated to Vishnu, said to be one of the largest in India; its outer wall being nearly four miles in circumference. It has four entrances, one facing each of the cardinal points. The one here shown, which is on the south side, is the only one of the four external gateways whose base is even completed. Had the usual pyramid of brick been added, Mr. Fergusson calculates it would have risen to the height of 200 feet. The base is built of hewn granite, and is about 60 feet high, 130 wide, and 100 feet deep. The opening being 20 feet in clear width. The monolithic blocks of grey granite on each side are 40 feet long, and five feet in diameter. Its erection was commenced by the Poligar dynasty, and interrupted in the struggle between the French and English in the middle of last century.' Another copy at Photo 1000/29(2901).