Chandrashala

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Chandrashala is the term most often used to describe the circular or horseshoe arch that decorates so many Indian cave temples and shrines. The arch is shaped like the cross-section of a barrel vault. When used on the facade of a chaitya hall, it is called a chaitya arch. It is sometimes called a gavaksha (or kudu, in Tamil) when used as a decorative element on a structural temple.^[1]

Examples include Ellora Caves 9, Ajanta Caves 9 and 19 and Varaha Cave Temple at Mamallapuram.

[edit] See also

• Indian rock-cut architecture

[edit] Notes

1. ^ "Glossary of Indian Art". http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/glossary1.html#chandrashala. Retrieved on 2007-01-25. 

[edit] External links

• Article on: Architecture
• Photos of Chandrashala