DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0384
302 BUDDHIST CAVE-TEMPLES.
Magathaxa.
The caves at Magathana were also Buddhist,1 but small and so
dilapidated as not to merit much attention. They are excavated in
the lower district of the island, and even in the hot season they
stand in pools of water. In the back of the hall of the principal
cave is a large figure of Buddha, squatted in the Jnydna Miidra, or
attitude of abstraction, and above his shoulders are other smaller
images in the same attitude. The other walls of this shrine or recess
have also been sculptured with numerous figures of Buddha on the
lotus throne upheld by Naga figures, &c. Over the arched entrance
to it is a fine toraua or ornamental frieze between two rnakara heads.
This frieze is continued in compartments to the right and left along
the side walls, and in one panel is a dagoba in bas-relief with traces
of two worshipping figures beside it. The pillars are of the style
of Cave VII. at Ajanta.
1 Strangely enough Dr. Wilson describes them as Brahmanical.
Magathaxa.
The caves at Magathana were also Buddhist,1 but small and so
dilapidated as not to merit much attention. They are excavated in
the lower district of the island, and even in the hot season they
stand in pools of water. In the back of the hall of the principal
cave is a large figure of Buddha, squatted in the Jnydna Miidra, or
attitude of abstraction, and above his shoulders are other smaller
images in the same attitude. The other walls of this shrine or recess
have also been sculptured with numerous figures of Buddha on the
lotus throne upheld by Naga figures, &c. Over the arched entrance
to it is a fine toraua or ornamental frieze between two rnakara heads.
This frieze is continued in compartments to the right and left along
the side walls, and in one panel is a dagoba in bas-relief with traces
of two worshipping figures beside it. The pillars are of the style
of Cave VII. at Ajanta.
1 Strangely enough Dr. Wilson describes them as Brahmanical.