2287174Oriental Scenery — Sixth Series, Plate 9Thomas Daniell and William Daniell

No. IX. Plans B.

DOOMAR LEYNA.

The entrance to this stupendous excavation is through a cut or lane in the solid rocky mountain, one hundred feet in length; on the left is a cave, No. 2, nearly choked up with earth; the lane is terminated by a door-way, through which you enter an area, 3; at the end of which, opposite the door, is a small cave, 4. On the right hand of the area is the great excavation, having at its entrance two lions couchant, 5,5; one of which has lost his head. 6, A large figure of the goddess Sita, the consort of Rama. 7, Dharma-Raja, the god of justice. 8, Shadi-Maha-Deva. 9, Maha-Deva and his consort Parvati. 10, Maha-Deva and Parvati, supported with their heavenly suite, by Ravana. 11, Vira-Baddra, (one of the titles of the god Rama). 12, Visweswara-Maha-Deva, (Maha-Deva in the character of universal lord). 13, Western entrance. 14, The steps leading up from a tank, which appears in the first of the general views, No. 4, in the margin. 15, A gallery over the staircase. 16,16, An area. 17,17, Dark chambers. 18, The temple of Maha-Deva. 19, The idol. 20,20,20,20, Guards of a gigantic size, each with a female figure standing by his side. The general height of this excavation is about seventeen feet, but the part in which the temple of Maha-Deva stands is eighteen feet six inches; the length from the rocky wall of the area, No. 3, to the steps, 14, leading to the tank already mentioned, is about two hundred feet. There are in this cave, as well as in the others, the remains of painting, but principally on the ceiling. The heads of the figures here are generally adorned with highly decorated tiaras, and the thighs of some of the men have Cholnas, or short drawers, but no other part of their drapery could be discriminated.


Doomar Leyna.