DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0383
EONDIWTE. 361
in the circular domed chamber at the back. It is 17 feet 4 inches
wide by 9 feet 3 inches high, with side walls 29^ to 30 feet 9 inches
in length ; the wall in front of the dagoba cell is only about 8 inches
thick, and has a lattice window on each side the door, with an
inscription over the one on the right. On the right wall is also a
group of Buddhist sculpture of the usual description, the largest
compartment containing Buddha on the lotus-throne supported by
Nagas and with chauri-bearers and Grandharvas. The next contains
a standing figure of Buddha, similar to those on the facades of the
Chaitya-caves of Ajanta. Above are small seated and squatting
figures, similar to those in the upper storey of Cave YI. at Ajanta.
All this may be of much later date than the cave itself.
Other small caves have been inserted, afterwards probably, so
close on each side of this as to endanger the walls of it. Passing a
number of cells to the left or south of this, we come to a regular
vibara cave, with four pillars in front of the verandah, which has a
room opening from its left end. The large hall has three doors and
two windows, with a stone bench nearly surrounding it. On each
of the three interior sides is a chamber with two square pillars in
front, the recesses in the two side walls have each three cells behind,
those in the left-hand side much broken. Another cave to the south
of this measures about 24 feet by 14, with numerous sockets in the
side walls, and a pedestal against the back, over which is a dagoba
in bas-relief recessed in the wall, and with a number of sockets in a
semicircle over it. In the verandah are four square pillars and
pilasters, with low bases, standing on a platform carved with rail
pattern, and in the floor are four holes into water cisterns.
Near the north end of this range is another pretty large vihara.
" is entered by steps up to a platform in front of the verandah over
which the roof extends. The verandah has two pillars and pilasters
m front, and three doors lead from it into the hall, the roof of
winch is supported by four octagonal pillars disposed in a square :
these have low bases, and capitals somewhat of the type found in
e first two large Buddhist caves at Elura, In each of the three
lflner walls are three cells, three of them with bench beds. The
outh end of the verandah has been broken into one of the cells of the
neighbouring cave, which is perhaps the older of the two.
ln« caves on the west side of the hill are small and huddled
together
in the circular domed chamber at the back. It is 17 feet 4 inches
wide by 9 feet 3 inches high, with side walls 29^ to 30 feet 9 inches
in length ; the wall in front of the dagoba cell is only about 8 inches
thick, and has a lattice window on each side the door, with an
inscription over the one on the right. On the right wall is also a
group of Buddhist sculpture of the usual description, the largest
compartment containing Buddha on the lotus-throne supported by
Nagas and with chauri-bearers and Grandharvas. The next contains
a standing figure of Buddha, similar to those on the facades of the
Chaitya-caves of Ajanta. Above are small seated and squatting
figures, similar to those in the upper storey of Cave YI. at Ajanta.
All this may be of much later date than the cave itself.
Other small caves have been inserted, afterwards probably, so
close on each side of this as to endanger the walls of it. Passing a
number of cells to the left or south of this, we come to a regular
vibara cave, with four pillars in front of the verandah, which has a
room opening from its left end. The large hall has three doors and
two windows, with a stone bench nearly surrounding it. On each
of the three interior sides is a chamber with two square pillars in
front, the recesses in the two side walls have each three cells behind,
those in the left-hand side much broken. Another cave to the south
of this measures about 24 feet by 14, with numerous sockets in the
side walls, and a pedestal against the back, over which is a dagoba
in bas-relief recessed in the wall, and with a number of sockets in a
semicircle over it. In the verandah are four square pillars and
pilasters, with low bases, standing on a platform carved with rail
pattern, and in the floor are four holes into water cisterns.
Near the north end of this range is another pretty large vihara.
" is entered by steps up to a platform in front of the verandah over
which the roof extends. The verandah has two pillars and pilasters
m front, and three doors lead from it into the hall, the roof of
winch is supported by four octagonal pillars disposed in a square :
these have low bases, and capitals somewhat of the type found in
e first two large Buddhist caves at Elura, In each of the three
lflner walls are three cells, three of them with bench beds. The
outh end of the verandah has been broken into one of the cells of the
neighbouring cave, which is perhaps the older of the two.
ln« caves on the west side of the hill are small and huddled
together