Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/402

324 Sloan's Architectural Review and Builders' Journal. [Nov., shields, and other emblems of peace and war. The execution of their features is very remarkable for the diversity of character exhibited, accurately portray- ing the various mental emotions, and highly calculated to strike awe and dread into the minds of the worshippers of that mysterious religion, whose influence once thronged these subterranean tem- ples. We cannot describe all the figures, which are scattered in such profusion, through this cave ; but one particularly deserves our notice. It stands at the southern side, immediately facing the entrance ; and is of enoi'mous propor- tions, being undoubtedly a bust of the Triple Deity of India in his triune character of Brahma, the creator, Vish- nu, the preserver, and Seeva, the de- stroyer. The face in front is 5 feet long, the nose alone being 1^ feet ; and the extreme width, from cheek to cheek, is 3^ feet. The entire breadth be- tween the shoulders is nearly 20 feet ; and the height of the whole bust, from base to the top of the cap, is 15 feet. In his right hand the idol grasps a snake one foot thick ; and the features of the three faces are remarkable for the correctness with which they characterize the three persons of the Trinity, as it may be called. On each side of this bust is a colossal figure, leaning on a dwarf. At the west end of the cave, there is a dark recess 20 feet square, which is per- fectly plain, with an altar in the centre. Eight gigantic figures guard the four doorwaj^s to the recess, one on either side of each portal. These figures are perfectly naked, 13i feet high; and finely sculptured ; evidencing, from their harmonious proportions, the life-like presentation of the mental emotions depicted on their countenances, and the muscular development of the different attitudes, a very high degree of refine- ment and culture in the art statuesque. The heads of these rock figures are cov- ered, like those of the other statues; and they are represented as wearing collars round their necks, and jewels in their ears, all richly ornamented. It would be taking up too much of our space, and doubtless be wearisome to our readers, to describe any of the other sculpturings of men and beasts, that are to be found in this remark- able cave. They are of all sizes, and of all varieties, except that, in the en- tire interior, there is only one female, represented with a single breast, which has been supposed by some, to per- sonate an Amazon, but which is more likely to be, according to Elmes, a rep- resentative of the consort of Seeva, exhibiting the active power of her lord, known under her three names of Bha- wanee, Isanee, and Doorga. Some of these figures have 2, others 4, and oth- ers, again, 6 hands, generally grasping snakes, shields, tridents, maces, swords, and other s3 r mbolic emblems : and many of them are ornamented with represent- ations of armlets and anklets, very much resembling similar ornaments worn at the present day in the East. There exists ample pi - oof to warrant our asserting, that this temple, in com- mon with the others of a similar nature — to be found, as we have said before, in India, — were originally excavated for strictly devotional purposes ; and that there exists a truly marvelous similarity, in almost all the principal points, between the religion of that remote period and that of the present time. We must now proceed to the Caves of Salsette, or rather of Canarah, in the island of Salsette, which latter is about 70 miles in circumference, 20 miles long and 15 broad, and separated from Bombay by a channel. These excava- tions are so numerous and extensive, that they have been compared by one traveler to a town. They are hewn out on the side of four hills, in the centre of the island, carved in four galleries, leading to separate ranges of chambers, or apartments, in all amounting to the astounding number of 300. These galleries are literally