DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.614#0095
BENARES, PAST AND PRESENT. * 59
silver eyes, she occasionally -wears a mask of gold or bur-
nished copper, and thus endeavours to enhance her beauty
and fascinate her beholders. The temple occupies a large
portion of the quadrangle, and stands in its centre. In
one corner of this quadrangle is a small shrine dedicated
to the Sun. The idol representing the Sun is seated in a
chariot drawn by seven horses, and is surrounded by a
glory indicative of the rays of light which he emits from
his person in all directions. In a second corner is another
shrine, in which is an image of Gaurf 'Sankar, and the
stone box or receptacle before alluded to. In a third is
a large figure of Hanuman, the monkey-god, in bass-relief:
and, in a fourth, a figure of Ganes, with the head of an
elephant and the body of a man,
Not far from the temple of Annpurna is the temple
of Sakhi Binayaka, or the " witness-bearing Binayaka."
Pilgrims, on completing the journey of the Panch-kosi
road, must pay a visit to this shrine, in order that
the fact of their pilgrimage may be verified. Should
they neglect to do this, all their pilgrimage would be
without merit or profit. The temple is in a square,
and was erected by a Mahratta, about one hundred
years ago. On the road between these two temples is a
red glaring figure of the god Ganes, with silver hands,
trunk, feet, ears, and poll,, squatting down on the floor,
which is raised a little above the pathway. The oddity
of this painted monster would excite one's laughter,
were the mind not distressed at the thought that it
receives divine honours.
Near the temple of Bisheswar, and to the south of
Sanichar, is a small shrine, dedicated to 'Sukreswar,
silver eyes, she occasionally -wears a mask of gold or bur-
nished copper, and thus endeavours to enhance her beauty
and fascinate her beholders. The temple occupies a large
portion of the quadrangle, and stands in its centre. In
one corner of this quadrangle is a small shrine dedicated
to the Sun. The idol representing the Sun is seated in a
chariot drawn by seven horses, and is surrounded by a
glory indicative of the rays of light which he emits from
his person in all directions. In a second corner is another
shrine, in which is an image of Gaurf 'Sankar, and the
stone box or receptacle before alluded to. In a third is
a large figure of Hanuman, the monkey-god, in bass-relief:
and, in a fourth, a figure of Ganes, with the head of an
elephant and the body of a man,
Not far from the temple of Annpurna is the temple
of Sakhi Binayaka, or the " witness-bearing Binayaka."
Pilgrims, on completing the journey of the Panch-kosi
road, must pay a visit to this shrine, in order that
the fact of their pilgrimage may be verified. Should
they neglect to do this, all their pilgrimage would be
without merit or profit. The temple is in a square,
and was erected by a Mahratta, about one hundred
years ago. On the road between these two temples is a
red glaring figure of the god Ganes, with silver hands,
trunk, feet, ears, and poll,, squatting down on the floor,
which is raised a little above the pathway. The oddity
of this painted monster would excite one's laughter,
were the mind not distressed at the thought that it
receives divine honours.
Near the temple of Bisheswar, and to the south of
Sanichar, is a small shrine, dedicated to 'Sukreswar,