Images

The nata mandapa or dance hall of the 13th century CE Hindu Surya Sun temple at Konark, India.

The 7th century CE Bhima Ratha with its sala barrelled roof on the left and the Dharmaraja Ratha temple. Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India.

A diagram illustrating the principal features of a Hindu temple complex.

The Hindu Parasurameswar temple, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India. 7th century CE.

The mandapa or columned hall of the Amritheswara temple in Amrithapura, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka state, India.

A makara, the decorative sea-monster motif common in Hindu architecture, especially, as here, above doorways. Cambodia, 1st-7th century. Musée Guimet, Paris.

A Kirtimukha from Kathmandu, Nepal, a decorative lion or monster motif with the lower jaw missing, typically placed over doorways in Hindu architecture.

An illustration indicating the original design of the Konark Sun Temple in Orissa, India. 13th century CE.

The garbhagriha (garbha grha) inner sanctum of a Shiva temple at Pattadakal.

An artist's impression of what an ancient riot may have looked like such as were under the jurisdiction of the cohortes urbanae to control in ancient Rome.