DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3461#0187
ARCHITECTURE, TEMPLES, ETC. 173
embodied the conceptions of the founders of the Brah-
ttinical system of worship.
In Southern India, because more remote from the
seats of Mahomedan government, Delhi, Lahore, Oude,
$c., the Hindoo temples are the main objects of attrac-
tion. Some of them are of great height, covering two
01' three acres of land, and divided into an infinite
timber of apartments.
But perhaps the most extraordinary specimens of
Hindoo architecture are the cave-temples in Western
ifldia and the Deccan. Ellora, Ajunta, and Elephanta,
ai'G the most remarkable, and were probably con-
ducted because their freedom from external climatic
influences, and their concealed positions, which re*
ducecl the chances of their being despoiled by the
bigots of other creeds, ensured to them a greater
Permanence.
The cave-temples of Ellora—or Verrool, as the place is
called by the natives—are situated about a mile from the
ancient Mahomedan city of Dowlatabad. In magnitude
and execution they excel every thing of the kind in
■India. They comprise several temples, and are rilled
Mth figures, some dedicated to Siva, and some to
■u°oclh. As far as can be ascertained, these temples
^re constructed 2,500 years since, but the Brahmins
assjgn to them a much more extravagant antiquity,
going even 2,000 or 3,000 years higher than the date
^signed by us, according to the Scriptures, to the
Nation of the world.
"he temples of Ajunta are by no means so extensive
ns those of Ellora,-but they are exceedingly curious,
a^°- afford an excellent idea of the taste and talent of
°e Hindoo sculptors of the olden time.
■p Ibe other cave-temples are near the island of
??ljay»-on Salsette and Elephanta.
I he little island of Elephanta, the true name of
w"ich is Shapooree, derives the Portuguese appellation
embodied the conceptions of the founders of the Brah-
ttinical system of worship.
In Southern India, because more remote from the
seats of Mahomedan government, Delhi, Lahore, Oude,
$c., the Hindoo temples are the main objects of attrac-
tion. Some of them are of great height, covering two
01' three acres of land, and divided into an infinite
timber of apartments.
But perhaps the most extraordinary specimens of
Hindoo architecture are the cave-temples in Western
ifldia and the Deccan. Ellora, Ajunta, and Elephanta,
ai'G the most remarkable, and were probably con-
ducted because their freedom from external climatic
influences, and their concealed positions, which re*
ducecl the chances of their being despoiled by the
bigots of other creeds, ensured to them a greater
Permanence.
The cave-temples of Ellora—or Verrool, as the place is
called by the natives—are situated about a mile from the
ancient Mahomedan city of Dowlatabad. In magnitude
and execution they excel every thing of the kind in
■India. They comprise several temples, and are rilled
Mth figures, some dedicated to Siva, and some to
■u°oclh. As far as can be ascertained, these temples
^re constructed 2,500 years since, but the Brahmins
assjgn to them a much more extravagant antiquity,
going even 2,000 or 3,000 years higher than the date
^signed by us, according to the Scriptures, to the
Nation of the world.
"he temples of Ajunta are by no means so extensive
ns those of Ellora,-but they are exceedingly curious,
a^°- afford an excellent idea of the taste and talent of
°e Hindoo sculptors of the olden time.
■p Ibe other cave-temples are near the island of
??ljay»-on Salsette and Elephanta.
I he little island of Elephanta, the true name of
w"ich is Shapooree, derives the Portuguese appellation