DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.27192#0505
Chap. IV.
PANATARAN.
443
from the R&mayana, but many also from local legends. Each
of these is separated from that next it, by a panel, with a circular
medallion, containing a conventional animal, or a foliaged
ornament. The bas-reliefs of
the second storey are better
executed, and, from their
extent, more interesting; their
subjects, however, seem to be
all taken from local legends
not yet identified. The third
is ornamented by panels, with
winged figures, griffons, Garu-
das, and flying monsters, more
spirited and better executed
than any similar figures are
in any examples of Hindu
art I am acquainted with.
In the centre of the upper
platform, but not shown on
the plan, is a well hole which
may have served in the
temples at Prambanan for the
deposit of relics or of the
ashes of deceased priests. This has been dug out and increased
in dimensions below by treasure seekers. Whether at any time
over this upper platform there was a superstructure of any kind
is not known ; Sir Stamford Raffles speaks of the remains of
various foundations. On these wood columns might have rested
carrying a roof, but in any case the opening was probably closed
over, and formed a secret chamber, on which may have been
erected an altar. The sculptured panels of the lower platform
are largely illustrated in the Dutch survey, and are inferior to those
of Boro-Budur; the bas-reliefs of the second platform seem to
be of finer execution, judging by Kinsbergen’s photographs, but
there are no illustrations given of them or of the winged figures
and Garudas which decorate the podium of the upper platform,
or of the remarkable cresting round, which seems to have served
the purpose of a balustrade.
There is a second temple at Panataran, which might from
its decoration be called a serpent temple. The Batavian Society
have devoted twenty-two photographs to the illustration of its
sculptures, but have given no plan and no description. There
is not even a general view from which its outline might be
gathered, and no figure is introduced from which a scale might
be guessed. Its date appears to be probably previous to A.D.
1416. The figures, however, from which this is inferred are
PANATARAN.
443
from the R&mayana, but many also from local legends. Each
of these is separated from that next it, by a panel, with a circular
medallion, containing a conventional animal, or a foliaged
ornament. The bas-reliefs of
the second storey are better
executed, and, from their
extent, more interesting; their
subjects, however, seem to be
all taken from local legends
not yet identified. The third
is ornamented by panels, with
winged figures, griffons, Garu-
das, and flying monsters, more
spirited and better executed
than any similar figures are
in any examples of Hindu
art I am acquainted with.
In the centre of the upper
platform, but not shown on
the plan, is a well hole which
may have served in the
temples at Prambanan for the
deposit of relics or of the
ashes of deceased priests. This has been dug out and increased
in dimensions below by treasure seekers. Whether at any time
over this upper platform there was a superstructure of any kind
is not known ; Sir Stamford Raffles speaks of the remains of
various foundations. On these wood columns might have rested
carrying a roof, but in any case the opening was probably closed
over, and formed a secret chamber, on which may have been
erected an altar. The sculptured panels of the lower platform
are largely illustrated in the Dutch survey, and are inferior to those
of Boro-Budur; the bas-reliefs of the second platform seem to
be of finer execution, judging by Kinsbergen’s photographs, but
there are no illustrations given of them or of the winged figures
and Garudas which decorate the podium of the upper platform,
or of the remarkable cresting round, which seems to have served
the purpose of a balustrade.
There is a second temple at Panataran, which might from
its decoration be called a serpent temple. The Batavian Society
have devoted twenty-two photographs to the illustration of its
sculptures, but have given no plan and no description. There
is not even a general view from which its outline might be
gathered, and no figure is introduced from which a scale might
be guessed. Its date appears to be probably previous to A.D.
1416. The figures, however, from which this is inferred are