Dharmaraja Ratha

Pancha Rathas, Mamallapuram

This incomplete shrine is a larger version of Arjuna ratha, having an added course on its pyramidal roof. The temple roof, like most in India, is covered with repeating elements (fractals). Typically south Indian, the ones here consist of small "model" shrines at various scales of size, false windows, horseshoe-shaped arches, and little "rooflets" which are barrel-shaped when placed on the side of the roof and squared-off when placed on the corner of the roof. The building is topped by an octagonal shikhara (dome).

In this photo, the west face (entrance) of the shrine is in sunlight. People are scrambling down the shadowed north face to the left.