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XX:
[Holy Abu
earliest of the group is the Vimala Vasahi, originally built by Vimala Saha in 1031 A. D. The main entrance to the Vimala Vasahi is through a domed porch on the east, facing which is a six-pillared roofed pavilion-a rectangular walled structure-known as the Hastishala. Entering the main doorway, one noticés an open wide corridor on a high platform running on all sides of the courtyard of the shrine. At the outer end of the corridor is a row of about 54 cells with openings facing the shrine and their back walls forming a high outer wall enclosing the Vimala Vasahī. The shrine, with its gūḍhamandapa and the other mandapas, is a "structure cruciform in plan, its length being 98 feet and its widest part 42 feet ". In order to reach this main structure in the centre of the courtyard one has to descend a few steps of the above-mentioned high platform and passing through the open space of the courtyard, one first reaches the Rangamaṇḍapa (the term conveys the same sense as the Nat-Mandir or Nat-Mandapa of Orissan temples), the floor of which is only slightly raised from the level of the courtyard. This open pavilion is composed of a central nave based on an octagonal plan, with eight pillars supporting the dome of the nave. On the front and two sides (north and south) of this mandapa, are, attached to it, three open porticos resting on ornamental pillars with separate domes or ceilings for each. To the west of this Rangamaṇḍapa (hall for dance, music, festival etc.) is attached a rectangular ceiling resting on pillars, and of the same width as that of the Navachokī or vestibule to the west of it, and to which is joined this Rangamaṇḍapa. At this end of the Rangamandapa, one has to ascend three steps of the platform or basement on which rest all the other parts of the shrine built by Vimala Saha. To the west of the Rangamandapa, on this open platform, is the Navachoki, an open rectangular pavilion-a trancept or
