Photo 212/7(18)

Genre: Architectural Photography

View of the entrance gopura of the Vitthala Temple, with lamp column in right foreground. Another copy of this print at Photo 1000 (3156). 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: '508 - This is the first view obtained of the ruins of this temple, as it is approached. It is situated close to the river, about two miles from the village of Humpee, and rather more than three from Camalapoor. The pyramidal tower over the principal entrance, with the porticos on each side for the use of the pilgrims who used to frequent it, are all in ruins. There is no worship of any sort ever held here, nor is even a native to be seen near it except on very rare occasions. The monolith on the right is somewhat similar to that at Peroor, seen in 408, and was also used to contain a lantern at festivals.'