Ramisseram [Rameswaram] Pagoda, Island of Paumben. Pyramidal gateway at west entrance
0000; Gale Group; Linguagem: English
Resumo
General view of the west gopura of the Ramalingeshvara Temple. Another copy at Photo 1000 (3002). Lyon's 'Notes to Accompany a Series of Photographs Prepared to Illustrate the Ancient Architecture of Southern India' (Marion & Co., London, 1870), edited by James Fergusson, gives the following description of this photograph: 353 - shows the Pyramidal Tower over the entrance on the west side. The Brahmins declare it to be 100 feet high, and the gateway itself 40 feet, but in reality it can be little more than half that height. It is, however, built entirely of hewn stone, which is not the case with any of those described above, and is singularly simple in its details. There is absolutely no figure-sculpture belonging to the original design, the two figures in the first storey being modern additions. The road, on arriving opposite the pyramidal tower at the west entrance of the pagoda, divides and passes round the outer wall of the temple on both sides, uniting again opposite its east entrance. Following either of these roads, we become aware for the first time of the immense extent of this temple, the distance from the west to the east entrance being nearly one-third of a mile; still continuing to follow the road, we in a few minutes arrive at the old porch, which has been enclosed, and forms the only abode of such few European visitors as ever visit this distant spot. It is on the very edge of the sea at high tide, and at its very door the Brahmins bring the wearied pilgrims to bathe on the morning after their arrival. It is most curious to watch in the early morn the extraordinary antics they are made to perform in going through the ceremony. The building can be made comfortable enough, and as long as there is a breeze from the sea, is quite habitable, but should that die away the heat becomes quite unbearable. From the door, the long low sandbar, called 'Adam's Bridge,' can be traced, which is supposed to have formed the connection between Ceylon and the mainland in past ages. According to the Brahmins, the whole distance of seven miles may still be accomplished on foot, if lucky enough to avoid the quicksands which here abound; certain it is that the Brahmins and pilgrims proceed daily on foot at low water to a temple built apparently in the sea, but in truth on a rock in the middle of the sand, at a distance of two miles from the island, and those who have performed their devotions while the tide is high, return to the land when it again recedes. Photographer: Lyon, Edmund David.
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