Photo 212/5(31)

Genre: Architectural Photography

Close view of two vimanas (sanctuary towers) of the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram. Another copy of this print at Photo 1000 (3085). 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: '437 - The next place to be visited is the celebrated Pagoda on the sea-shore, which forms so conspicuous a mark for navigators. It is raised a little from the shore, but the surf in the N.E. monsoon dashes its spray completely over it. The whole shore is covered with rocks for some distance out to sea, and it is said that on the nearest of these, several pillars once stood, as the mortices in them still remain. The position of this temple, the pillars in the sea, and the quantity of rocks visible at low water, have doubtless given rise to the wild legend of the submerged city of Bali, which Southey has immortalised in his 'Curse of Kehama,' and the Brahmins here declare that their ancestors have told them that they could remember seeing the gilt tops of five pagodas among the breakers. The situation of the temple in such a wild spot, with the hoarse roar of the waves around it, as well as its own appearance, justly entitle it to a legend, and one 'married to immortal verse.' Mr. Fergusson is of opinion that, with the exception of that at Tanjore, No. 391, this is probably the most complete and typical example of a Vimana to be found in the South of India. It is small, being only about 30 feet square at the base, and 30 feet high, but like Hallabeed, it stands free from all surrounding objects, such as ordinarily encompass other Hindu temples. It appears to be another instance of the admixture of the two religious sects, a gigantic lingam of polished black stone being found on the side next the sea, and a bull over the entrance porch, while opposite the lingam is a gigantic recumbent figure of Vishnu.'