Bell and Drum Towers

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 Bell and drum towersThere is a bell tower on the east side of the courtyard in front of the main hall. On the west side is a drum tower. It was customary at temples in times past to mark the arrival of morning by striking a bell, and to mark the arrival of evening by beating on a drum. That is why the bell tower is on the east and the drum tower on the west.
Although the bell and drum towers are relatively small structures, they are nevertheless very fine pieces of architecture.

Each tower features a hexagonal floor plan, and the most distinctive thing about them is their roofs, which resemble the shape of a palanquin roof.
Unfortunately the bell and drum towers fell silent long ago, and their lonely hulks stand in sharp contrast to the hustle and bustle of the main hall.

   
 Bell and drum towers  Bell and drum towers  Bell and drum towers

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