BAIJNATH TEMPLE

The adytum, which contains the linga known as Vaidyanatha, is entered through a small ante-room with two pillars in antis. The roof of the mandapa is supported by four massive pillars connected by raised benches which form, as it were, a passage leading up to the entrance of the sanctum.

The architrave’s resting on these pillars divide the space of the ceiling into nine compartments, each of which is closed by means of corbelling slabs. In front of the mandapa rises a stately porch resting on four columns. "The shafts of these pillars", Fergusson remarks "are plain cylinders, of very classical proportions, and the bases also show that they are only slightly removed from classical design.

The square plinth, the two toruses, the cavetto or hollowmoulding between are all classical, but partially hidden by Hindu ornamentation, of great elegance but unlike anything found after wards". The same author at considerable length discusses the capitals of the pot-and - foliage type.

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