The Rock-cut Temples of India/The Caves of Ellora/Ravana ka Kaie—Ellora
RAVANA KA KAIE.—ELLORA.
BETWEEN the two Caves last mentioned is one called Ravana ka Kaie, or Ashes of Ravana. It is similar in design, though more florid than those on either hand, but hardly so much so as to justify its being placed in a different age from that which its locality would assign to it.
Among the scenes portrayed in the sculptures of the Cave is one of Siva and Parvati playing at choupers, a game somewhat resembling draughts, an engraving of which was published in the second volume of the "Transactions" of the Royal Asiatic Society, from a drawing by Captain Grindlay. Below there is a group of the Gana—dwarfs attached to Siva's retinue—playing with, or rather tormenting the bull Nundi. It is one of those legends which seem to have been peculiar favourites with the Hindoo sculptors, and is repeated several times in these Caves.
The architecture of the Cave is very florid, but all the pillars have the cushion capital and fluted shafts so common at Ellora.