Chandrashala

Chandrashala or chaitya arch, Ellora

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 10, Ajanta Caves 9 and 19 and Varaha Cave Temple at Mamallapuram.

See also

• Indian rock-cut architecture

Notes

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

External links

• Article on: Architecture
• Photos of Chandrashala