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[Full title: The vertical parts of the Mandapa鈥擳reatment in the extant temples; (a) Pillars]

CHAPTER XIV THE VERTICAL PARTS OF THE MANDAPA (a) Pillars. (b) Brackets (c) Arches. (f) Ceilings. (g) Kaksasana. (h) Balconies. (d) Architraves (e) Samvarna-domes. (i) Treatment in the extant temples. (a) Pillars. Pillars are intended for supporting the superstructure of the mandapa. They are essentially required when the mandapa is open one or when the mandapa, even if enclosed by walls, is a spacious one. Pillars are erected beside walls (if any) as well as within the inner area of the mandapa. When attached to walls they project half in size. These are known as half pillars (Ardhastambhas) or pilasters. formed by two adjoining walls, they project only a quarter in size. The pillars in the inner area are all free standing and are carved fully on all sides. The pillars are superimposed by architraves which support the Samvarana or dome of the mandapa. When attached to corners The Pillar consists of three divisions (i) base (Kumbhaka or Kumbhi), (ii) shaft or pillar proper (Stambha) and (iii) capital (Sirsa). The components of a pillar generally follow the elevation scheme of the temple. 1. They also support the superstructure of the porch, and the corridor (alinda) facing the surrounding rows of Devakulikas. 2. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. XIII, fig. 2,3. Here fig. 258/b

412 The Structural Temples of Gujarat (i) The base (Kumbhi ) of the pillar corresponds to the Kumbhaka mouldings of the mandovara (the wall face) of the shrine. Its plan generally follows the ground plan of the shrine with its recessed corners. The base has several mouldings similar to those of the Kumbhaka of the mandovara. Further it may be superimposed by the mouldings known as Kevala and Grasapatti,³ (ii) A pillar is carved either square, round, octagonal or sixteen sided in full or in different sections of different shapes from amongst those mentioned above. They are adorned with several mouldings like Kevala, raised lotus petals (Pallavas). Grasa, string-courses and hiragrahakas (projecting supports intended to hold the arches supporting the beams of the superstructure and the lower tenons of bracket figures bracket figures usually salabhanjikas, gandharvas or divine musicians). On the lower section of the shaft are carved niches on each face, often containing standing figures of the dikpalas, whilst above them are figures of seated devis of the class to which the temple is dedicated. The member known as 'bharani', is the upper most portion of the pillar. It has also several mouldings, the chief among them is the knife-edged (kani) moulding. The mouldings of the shaft correspond to the moulding jangha to bharani of the mandovara.4 (iii) Capital (Sirsa) is the upper section of the shaft, which due to high projection on an each side appears cruciform in shape. It has also several mouldings especially the hanging pallavas (leaves). 5 The upper most section of the pillar corresponds to the upper most part of the mandovara. When the mandapa is surrounded by aisle the base of the superstructure sometimes 3. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. XIII. fig. 1. Here fig. 258/c. 4. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. XIII. fig. 1. 5. lbid.

The Vertical Parts of the Mandapa 413 stands higher than the top of the walls of the shrine. In such a case an additional short pillar, usually known as Ucchalaka, 6 is added on the Sirsa of the pillar proper. The Ucchalaka is composed of a short shaft, Sirsa and bharani'i. e here certain mouldings of the pillar proper are repeated with a lesser height especially in the shaft.7 $ In this case the arch also lies higher and rests upon the brackets projecting from the capitals of the upper pillars. The space intervening between the upper bracket and the lower bracket (Hiragrahaka) is decorated with bracket figures generally in the form of Salabhanjikas. Over the pillars, the beams (Patta) of the superstructure rest. They may be adorned with horizontal mouldings as well as with vertical sections having series of carvings, figures and scenes. Structural Functions of Pillars. The pillars situate themselves above the topmost moulding of the basement and below the lowest portion of the entablature. The impression created by the pillars is one of height and of ease in (sustaining the pressure of the structural parts that are situated above such as the entablature, the rafts, the roof etc. The pillars are spaced at equal intervals so that the weight supported is equally distributed among them. By their vertical feature, pillars produce the impression of elevation and by their number and disposition at equidistance they carry the load of the consequent distribution of the weight sustained with ease and lightness. Though walls have the same disposition as pillars they do not seem originally to have been intended to carry the function 6. Also known as Virahakantha, in local term it is called 'Theki' or Teki corresponding to the pillar proper which is known as Theka or Teka, 7. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. XIII, fig. 1. Here fig. 258/c.

414 The Structural Temples of Gujarat of pillars. Naturally the contruction of pillars is implied to take place first before building of walls is undertaken. This shows that pillars have great structural value than the walls. When walls come in and cover the interspace between pillars, pillars produce the impression of pilasters. Although the most parts of such pillars are burried in wall, they are regular and structural in their function as originally conceived. In this aspect too, they stabilise the wall and stand to receive the pressure that falls from above with an air of ease and lightness. Shapes of Pillars. Pillars have many varieties in shape but the basic shapes are four. i e. square, octagonal, sixteen faced and circular, The composite shape is obtained by the mixture of basic shapes such as pillars with (i) square, octagonal and circular shape or (ii) octagonal, 16-sided, round, etc. In the extant temples the pillar type also represents the simple square with off-sets, square with recesses and octagonal with corners. Ornamentation of Pillars. For the ornamentation of pillars several mouldings are executed on the base as well as on the shaft such as grasa pattis, Kevalas, courses with lozenges, squares, rounds; flowers and creepers; swans; strings; chains and bells, fillets with cyma-recta & cyma reversa mouldings and niches for standing as well as seated figures of gods and goddesses, damsels, musicians and amorous figures and human-beings in playful gestures. Among these mouldings the vase and foliage motif (ghata pallava) is very common in the extant temples of Gujarat. Some of the pre-Caulukyan temples such as those at Sutrapada, Kinderkheda, Kadvar, Srinagar (Devi & Siva temples), Khimesvar, Balej, Bhansar (main), Pata, Dhrasnevel, Navidhraved etc. have pillars consisting of massive shafts. Some of them

The Vertical Parts of the Mandapa 415 are campletely devoid of base for the shaft but are surmouned with bracket capitals either with projected rectangular slabs or with brackets fashioned into a simple role. Some temples have pillars with their simple bases such as those at Sutrapada, Kadvar, Kinderkheda, Shrinagar, Pata etc. But pillars of the pre-Caulukyan temples in architectural treatment give no clue as to the later development found in the Caulukyan temples. (of Sutrapada, Kinderkheda, mandapa in the Caulukyan Unlike the earlier temples Kadvar, etc.) the pillars of the temples are found richly decorated. At Sunak, the lower part of the short pillars, supporting the roof, is spuare, and plain, but the upper part has first an inset circle, sculptured with beautiful scroll design, then a vase with similar decorations on its sides. From here the shaft is octagonal; the lowar half decorated with horizontal bands 'serpent' and 'lozenge' interesected at each face of the octagon by a vertically hanging leaf; above this are Kirtimukhas. 8 The pillars supporting the porch and roof of the mandapa at Gorad temple are short as at Sander, Dhinoj, Gorad, and Delmal and are decorated in the same way as at Sunak. At Miani the form is the same but decoration is absent. Similarly the pillars at Kasara (Triple-shrine) both in decoration and construction, resemble those at Sunak. 10 The pillars at Limboja mata at Delmal are well executed in the style of those at Sunak but they differ in form as they consist of round, octagonal and again round sections from bottom to top. 11 Pillars of all these temples (c. 10 th cent. A. D.) has vase and foliage motif among the decoration of the shaft. 8. Archaeology of Gujarat p. 73; Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat, Plt. LXXXV. 9. Archaeology of Gujarat p. 78. 10. Archaeology of Gujarat p. 81. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat, Plt. LXXXVIII (3). 11. Archaeology of Gujarat p. 89-90, Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat plt. LXVII (1).

416 The Structural Temples of Gujarat The pillars at Muni Bava's Temple are square below, and built partly into the high screen wall that surrounds the mandapa; above the screen they are octagonal with round capitals supporting the brackets.12 The pillars at Modhera. 13. The pillars of the halls are mainly of two kinds (1) short (dwarf) resting on the wall and supporting the roof above (2) pillars with tall columns, which rise directly from the floor. In the first kind of pillars 14 the shaft is square for about half its height then comes a base, after which the shaft becomes octagonal and is surmounted with surmounted with a capital, and a bracket. The square part is decorated with a floral design in a circle (often semi-circular and contains a makara, elephants' head and a Kirtimukha) on each of its faces; the vase part is similarly decorated on each of its corners, while the octagonal section consists of four bands, the top most being that of 'Kirtimukhas.' In the second kind of pillars 15 the shaft rests on a square or octagonal base (Kumbhi ). Each of its faces is adorned with a triangular ornament or niched-god. Over this is a member called 'Kalasa' and over it, separated by a deep band, is the 'Kevala' decorated with Caitya-windows. Above this is a band of Kirtimukhas. Over this is a triangular pediment, consisting of Caitya-windows. From here begins the shaft. It is decorated with large standing figures-usually [dancers-placed in each of eight faces of the shaft, enclosed with ringed-pilasters. A beautifully carved, round, pillow like plate separates it. Over this separated by a short annulate is a still smaller band. the 12. Antiquities of Dabhoi p. 6. 13. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat plt. LIII-LV 14. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt Lill, (1). 15. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Pit. LIII (2), (3); LIV. 1, 2, 3 LV.Here Figs. 161, 162, 163.

The Vertical Parts of the Mandapa 417 containing a row of men (figurates), lozenges, and circles and lastly a beautiful row of Kirtimukhas, each of which is separated by a chain and bell ornament.16 The decoration of the pilasters at the Modhera temple is very much like that of the short pillars and resembles that at Sunak. The large columns resemble those in the temples at Somnatha, Abu (Tejapal's), Siddhpur (Rudramala), Vadnagar (Hatakesvara) in their mouldings and decorations. 17 6 In the temple of Vimala Vasahi' at Abu, the Pillars are mainly of 3 types.18 (i) Those support the central ceiling, have a square base, and a circular shaft, and are very profusely decorated. 19 (ii) Those support the ceilings of the entrance porches and are considerably simpler. (iii) Those support the roof of the corridor, they are octagonal, having horizontal flutings at regular intervals, and string-courses on the top. There are no figures. Pillars of the Navalakha Temple at Ghumali. Pillar decorations, ceiling and brackets are different from those of the early Caulukyan type of 11 th cent. The columns are of two kinds as distinguished by their decoration. In the first, belonging to the central octagon, there is a double square plinth; over this, the Kumbhi is adorned with a seated figure on each face; above this separated by a Kalasa (torus) is the panelled part of the shaft (which 16. Archaeology of Gujarat pp. 87-90. 17. Archaeology of Gujarat pp. 87-90. 18. Archaeology of Gujarat pp. 107-108. 19. Dr. U. P. Shah, 'Holy Abu' Plt. 27, 28.

418 The Structural Temples of Gujarat appears to be round or square) having four panels only, one on each face; the small pilasters have griffons attached as brackets to the outward side. Above this is a smaller band having eight panels with sitted goddesses; over this the shaft is circular and adorned with a band of leaves, then a row of chakwas and above it a band of lozenges, and finally the Kirtimukha band below the capital. This is simple, consisting of low torus, and an annulet. 20 The other type of columns found outside the octagon is much simpler. Its construction is similar, but is devoid of any figure decoration, the other decoration consists of a pointed leaf for the base and the octagon section and a Kirtimukha band interspread with fishes for the circular section of the shaft, 21 Pillars of the Navalakha temple at Sejakpur. Pillar-decoration is akin to that of the temple at Ghumali. The pillars are octagonal and have a band of Chakwas, birds, among other things. Where as among sculptures of the brackets. is found a large solitary face (of a lion ?) besides the usual dwarfs.22 The Pillars in the Rudramahalaya at Siddhpur The shafts of these pillars are of single blocks 3.1 m. in height, and the outer pairs which form the main supports are much more massive than the intermediate one; exclusive of the brackets they are nearly one and quarter meter in diameter. while the smaller are nearly one meter and have the heavy attached brackets. In the large decorated columns, the divisions and mouldings are the same, and arranged in the same order and relative height, as the mouldings and horizontal divisions of the walls 20. Here Figs. 88. 258/b. 21. Archaeology of Gujarat pp. 102-105. 22. Archaeology of Gujarat pp. 105-106.

The Vertical Parts of the Mandapa 419 of the temple to which they belong. The base or Kumbhi is octagonal and is surrounded by eight niched facets, each of which is invariably occupied by a small figure of a seated devi. Above the kumbhi and separated by a narrow neck, is the section corresponding to the jangha of walls, containing the standing figures probably of demi-gods. Above these are two bands of devi's eight in each; than small projecting corbels to support the bracket figures that generally adorn the capitals of these pillars. Over these again rise the bharani and siras or bracket capital. The columns are elaborately worked from top to bottom, and the outer ones have deep brackets thrown out from their sides to add to the support of the lintel above. The brackets of the sur-capitals, that carried the ends of the cross beams, by the directions in which they project, give us a clue to the arrangement of the other columns. 22/1 The pillars that remain of the north and east porches are surmounted by deep architraves supporting low parapets, and over those on the north stand two short pillars and two pilasters supporting the upper lintels of the second storey. The columns of these porches are of the same pattern as those already described; and those in the upper storey correspond pretty nearly in their mouldings to the upper portions of the lower ones. 22/2 The Pillars of the Old Somnatha Temple at Prabhas The pillars of the Gudha mandapa were of three types. (1) Pillars of the first type resemble the large columns at Modhera. They have an octagonal base, ornamented with pointed triangles; above it, separated by Kalasa, two bands and a deep neck with the panelled standing figures; above this, similarly separated is a smaller band of seated gods. After this, the shaft becomes sixteen-sided and is decorated with petals. Over this 22/1. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat p. 66-68 Plts. XLIII ( 1, 2, 3, 4 ); Here Figs. 93. 94, 95, 98. 22/2. Here Fig, 97.

420 The Structural Temples of Gujarat separated by an annulet, is a band of human beings; then again triangular leaves, lozenges and finally the band of kirtimukhas. Over this the capital is similar to the one at Modhera, consisting of two or three annulets. A bracket, decorated with volutes, surmounts this. (2) Pillars of the second type are much simpler,. Here the base etc. are similar to those in the first. But the larger panel which contains standing figures is smaller in size than that of the previous one. Where as the shaft, after this, upto the kirtimukha band below the capital is cut up into very small compartments which contained seated figures. This feature reminds Cousens of the pillars in the temple of Tejapala at Abu, 23 But it should be noted that there is a great difference between the decoration of the two pillars. In the Somanatha temple the shaft is uniformly decorated, where as in the Tejapala's there is much variation in decoration. Above the kirtimukhas the capital and bracket are similar to those of the first type. (3) Pillars of the third type are short. They are square for about half their height, and are then decorated by four circular deeply cut bands.24 Pillars of the temple at Taranga. The base has three mouldings but they are unadorned. The shaft is partly octagonal, partly sixteen sided, and above the middle circular, where it is decorated by a band of intersecting semicircles, band of lozenges, and kirtimukhas. Above this, the capital consists of two Among these the band of features are common.25 23. Somanatha and other Medieval Temples of Kathiawad Plt. XVIII, a. 24. Archaeology of Gujarat pp. 100-102. 25, Ag. pp. 112-113. annulets and vaulted brackets. intersecting circle is new, other

The Vertical Parts of the Mandapa Pillars of the Lunavasahi at Abu. Pillars are more varied and comprised of four types :- 421 (1) These support the central ceiling and among themselves have three types. (a) These have dancing figures on the basement mouldings and nothing above. (b) These have dancing figures above the first brackets. (c) These have simple and close, vertical fluting. (2) These support the mandapa of the shrine and are profusely decorated with sculptures and carvings. (3) These support the corridors and are decorated with hexagonal or octagonal cuttings, kirtimukhas and simple brackets. (4) Short pillars supporting the side-porches of the shrine, sculptured with small miniature sikharas, 26 The Pillars of the temple at Sarotra. The pillars resemble more to the Jain temples at Abu than those of the Hindu temples of the period. Burgess illustrates four types:- (1) Simple with Octagonal bases, and shafts divided into three sections; octagonal or hexagonal, sixteen-sided, and circular with dwarf brackets. (2) Smaller; the base similar to the first type, but decorated with seated figures; shaft also similar upto the lower middle, above which there are four bands of leaves, lozenges, kirtimukhas and caitya windows and brackets with incurved volutes. (3) Profusely decorated, resemble, similar pillars in the temple at Ghumali, the Somnatha temple and Tejapala's temple at Abu. 26. Archaeology of Gujarat p. 108-109.

422 The Structural Temples of Gujarat (4) Short pillars over the porch-walls with vase, foliage and kirtimukha ornament. This last type resembles the 11 th cent, pillars, 27 The pillar decoration of the mandapa of the Sun temple on Hiranya is different. It has an octagonal base; the shaft for about half its height is sixteen-sided, then becomes round, which is adorned with a row of projecting hansas (swans), string courses, and a band of kitrimukhas. 28 Pillars of the Hatakesvar temple at Vadnagar, The mouldings of the pillars follow those of the mandovara of the walls of a temple: first a complex pitha or base with three bhittas or plinth, the upper one carved with lozenge ornamentwhich on the comparision with pitha of the Modhera temple (Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. XLIX) will be seen that they are identical. Secondly over this, the kumbha or sur-base has groups of figures added on the faces as in Sunak, Ruhavi, and Motab temples (Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plts. LXXXI, LXXXIII, XCIII, and CI). The larger figures, in panels, above this correspond to the jangha; and beyond this the mouldings agree very closely with those of the pillars at Modhera. The double capitals are elegant feature and, with the lower brackets, form needful supports to those figures which the workmen were so fond of introducing both on the necks of pillars and in roofing of domes. The sur-capitals with their stilted shafts are close copies of the lower cap and neck of the pillar; and this portion of the column may be compared with the mouldings above the jangha on the walls of the temples at Ruhavi, Gorad, Motab, and the small temple at Delmal (Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plts, XCIII, CI, CII & LXVIII). In the last will be seen the groups of figures above the cornice, corresponding to those over the lintel of the kirtimukha. The square blocks carved with figures, vertically above the pillars, again the analogous of similar ones 27. Archaeology of Gujarat pp. 111-112; Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. LXXIX (1, 2, 3). 28. Archaeology of Gujarat p. 92 also plt. XXIX, Fig. 53.

The Vertical Parts of the Mandapa 423 over the corners of temple cornices where they are known as Kutas. These may be noted in Gorad and Ruhavi temples (Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plts; XCIII & CII). The only addition on the pediment is the cusped torana over-arching the central sculpture and issuing from makara mouths. Most of the bracket figures have been destroyed and the little circles of perforated work that filled the hollows between the cusps of the torana with the small guttae at the points, have nearly all disappeared.29 From the description of the pillars of some of the extant Caulukyan temples cited above it follows that in general plan and shape they may be grouped into the following types :- (1) Pillars square from bottom to top but decorated with a few mouldings. Pillars of this type are seen at the temples at Modhera, and Vadnagar (Amthora). As their mouldings they have from bottom to top grasapatti, ghatapallava (vase and foliage), inverted pallavas (leaves) and again grasapatti as at Modhera.30 At Vadanagar the moulding from bottom to top are Kani (between cyma-recta and cyma-reversa moulding), niches for gods, square block adorned with caitya-arch ornament and with hanging chain and bell courses emerged from the mouth of the grasa moulding above. 31 (ii) Square pillars having lateral projections. This variety is best illustrated by some of the pillars at Modhera and Siddhapur (Rudramala). At Modhera the shaft is one half bare i. e. without any decoration but thenceforth the mouldings like ghatapalava, grasapatti, and inverted pallava design cover the remaining portion. 33 But the pillars of this type at Siddhpur cover the whole of the shaft with profuse carvings. As for the mouldings from bottom to top they have niches for standing figures with caitya-arch ornaments, round and square fillets, 29. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat pp. 83-85. 30. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. LIII, (2). 31. Ibid Plt. LXII, LXIII. 32. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. XLIII, (2).

424 The Structural Temples of Gujarat two other courses for amorous or seated figures, kevala, antarapatra, a course with couples in a playful and gay manner, again fillets and courses for swan and lozenges, superimposed by heavy grasa mouldings.33 Some of the pillars of the Abu and Kumbharia have this sort of shape and mouldings. (iii) Pillars octagonal in shape from bottom to top. This variety is illustrated by some of the pillars of the temple at Modhera, Virat and Kumbharia. The shaft of the pillars at Modhera are plain, octagonal from lower to the middle portion and thenceforth have mouldings like creeper in circles, ghatapallavas, inverted pallavas course with beads in inverted semi-circles, portion marked with hanging chain and bells and Grasa patti at the uppermost part.34 While the dwarf pillars at Virat have semi-circular arch design, inverted pallavas, lozenges interrupted by round beads, and grasapatti as their mouldings. 35 At Kumbharia there are full octagonal pillars adorned with a few mouldings like grasa etc. (iv) Pillars having the lower portion square and upper portion octagonal. They are very common in the extant temples of the Caulukyan period. The pillars of this type are best illustrated in the temples at Sunak, Kasara, Modhera, Siddhpur, Sarotra etc. At Sunak the dwarf pillars of this type have the mouldings like creeper encircled in a semi-circular ghata pallava, lozenges. marked with inverted pallavas and a grasa course. 36 Kasara follows the mouldings carved at Sander. At Siddhapur the dwarf pillars of this type have two varieties. One set of pillars are adorned with a larger grasa at the bottom and thence the mouldings of ghata pallava, kevala, hansa course, string course with hanging chain and bells and a grasa 33. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. XLIII, (2). 34. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. LIII (3). 35. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. CIII (1). 36. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat, Plt. LXXXV.

The Vertical Parts of the Mandapa 425 course occur.37 The other set of pillars have mouldings like flower pattern, ghatapallava, triangular course, lozenges and grasopattika.38 At Sarotra the pillars have mouldings such as creeper, ghatapallava, kevala, inverted pallavas, creepers, triangles, lozenges, kirtimukhas and large inverted pallavas at the top.39 (v) At Sarotra we have one more variety of the pillars which are octagonal at the lower portion, sixteen sided at the middle and round at the upper one. We have here two sets of pillars of this type differing in ornamentation only at the upper portion. In one set the round upper portion is marked with grasa pattika at the top.40 In the other one the upper portion has several mouldings such as triangles, lozenges with circular mouldings, hanging chain and bell designs, grasa and caitya-arched pallava courses. 41. (vi) The pillars, divided into three sections-square at lower portion, octagonal in the middle and round at upper, are met with at Siddhpur. Here the mouldings from bottom to top are adorned with seated bull, ghata-pallava, kevala, lozenges, grasa patti, again kevala, hansa course with hanging chain and bells, again grasa-patti, the moulding cyma-recta, cyma-reversa intervened by plain pattika at the centre, and plain octagonal, round and again octagonal courses.43 (vii) Similarly the pillars divided into three sections round at the upper and lower portions and octagonal in the middle seen at Delmal. Except the lower and middle portion marked with pallavas at the end they are plain in design.+3 are 37. lbid. Pit. XLIII (3) 41. lbid Plt. LXXIX (2) 38. Ibid. Plt XLIII. (4) 42. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. XLIII (1). 39. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. LXXIX (4), 43. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat Plt. LXVII, 1. 40. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat, Plt. LXXIX (1).

426 The Structural Temples of Gujarat (xiii) The pillars profusely carved with several mouldings from bottom to top, divided in to sections octagonal, sixteen sided and round are seen at Modhera, Somnath ( extinct temple) Ghumali, Abu (Vimala and Tejapala's temples) and Sarotra. These pillars have in vertical part double capitals with intervining dwarf pillars. As for their mouldings the best example of this type is illustrated by the pillars at Modhera. They have several mouldings from bottom to top such as grasapatti, cyma-recta, cyma-reversa with intervining kani ( astragal), niches for standings figures, niches for amorous figures, again niches for standing figures, kevala, a course of human beings in a playful gestures, pattika marked with flowers and creepers and grasapatti, again the last two courses are repeated in the section of dwarf pillars.44 At Taranga the pillars are divided into four sections-octagonal, sixteen sided, round, octagonal; of which upper section is well decorated.46