A column or a pillar is a compression element in architecture. It generaly consists of a shaft, a pedestal, and a capital made out of wood, stone, or metal. Other than its supportive function, a column can also be a decorative element. Since the Iron Age, numerous civilisations have used columns, and they decorated these columns according to their own traditions.

Here are some of the most amazing columns from around the world.

Modhera Sun Temple, India

There are 52 columns in Modhera Sun Temple which represent the 52 week in a year. As for the carvings on the pillars, it is possible to analyze them from base to the capital. Firstly, there are standing figures, mostly dancers, on all faces of the octagonal base. A ring separates the scenes of men and beasts. The next one also features sixteen standing figures separated by another ring below. A band of leaves follows this row. Then the shaft gets circular and has a row of male warriors, lozanges, circles and kirtimukha (a swallowing and fierce face with big fangs in Hindu iconography) at last. Finally, there is the capital crowned with makara (a water monster) brackets.
anupgandhe

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