| Temples & Legends of Himachal Pradesh |
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| Temples & Legends Of India |
CHAMBA |
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first frame, slightly projecting from the enclosing rubble wall, is a semicircular
moulding carved with rich floral scroll work. Near the upper corners, where the Jambs of
the entrance turn into the lintel,it projects to the right and left, in order to offer
room to two-winged lions. These lions are treated in a heraldic manner, so that their
sitting figures rise to a height almost four times the breadth of their basis. The next
frame consists of two jambs covered with figures and of a lintel of flying godlings. On
each side there are four deities, each standing on its own pedestal, and at the bottom a
kneeling yaksha supporting, with his arms, the whole door jamb. The figures are so deeply carved that they seem to be almost separate sculptures placed in front of the back ground; but unfortunately they are so badly damaged that they can no more be recognized. The deities of the lintel apparently are gandhar- vas, five couples on each side, each gandharva holding musical instruments in his hands and carrying his mate, with some sacrificial gifts in her hands, on his back. Only the central figures hold what seems to be a feathered crown. The next frame is again a rounded moulding of vegetative scrolls from which, in the centre of the lintel, emerges a kirtimukha mask. Then follows another frame consisting of four standing figures on each side, and of a supporting yaksha at the bottom. Hutchison found them difficult to identify owing to their decayed state but Dr. Goetz thinks that though these figures are of somewhat smaller size, some of them can still be identified, "for, being deeper in the recess of the entrance, they have been less exposed to the weather."
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