Photo 212/1(4)

Genre: Architectural Photography

General view looking along the roadway towards the ornately-carved gopura of the Ranganatha Temple at Srirangam. 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: '253 - On descending the stairs and passing through the outer enclosure the Gateway forming the entrance to the second Court is reached. It is about 60 feet high, and has, as usual, a stone base and brick pyramidal top. The base is in this instance perfectly plain, except two figures, one on each side of the entrance, which represent the Watchmen or Guardians of the Gods, so often seen at entrances to Hindu temples; on the brick pyramid above this, are represented the Avatars of Vishnu, most of which will be easily recognised by persons familiar with Hindu Mythology. The thatch on the right and left is on the roofs and sunshades of the shops kept by the poorer Brahmins.' Another copy at Photo 1000/29(2903).