Allcgon<'al HrulpturcB. 471 



sometimes two or three times during the day, to offer flowers, 

 cocoa-nuts, and other fruits, A flight of steps cut in the 

 rock leads to the highest platform, whence there is an ex- 

 cellent view over these monumental edifices. 



That fancy has been called in to invest these unique un- 

 finished sculptures with the character of pleasure-grottoes, 

 baths, &c., &c., of historical personages, is readily intelligible. 

 Thus, for example, the guide does not fail to point out to 

 the stranger a sort of stone cistern hewn out of the solid 

 rock, traditionally reported to have been once the plunge-bath 

 of Dubrotis. This colossal basin has about 2^ feet water 

 during the rainy season, which gradually evaporates, or is 

 drawn oflf for use. The water, tinged with the yellow colour 

 of the soil, leaves a mark behind on the stone sides, which 

 naturally becomes very visible during the dry season. This 

 the natives maintain marks the height of the water as often 

 as Dubrotis, (Dharma Rajah's consort), bathed herself in it. 

 Another similar block of gneiss was transformed into a 

 stone couch, and is called Dharma Rajah's bed, at the upper 

 end of which, near the head, a tiger is crouched to guard 

 it. This gigantic ellipsoidal block of rock, which seems as 

 though balanced on a sharp point, could neither be displaced 

 nor made to oscillate by continued leaping. Some masses 

 of rock piled up above the grottoes were once Siva's kitchen, 

 and so forth. All these spots, however, have in reahty 

 not the slightest historic significance ; it is only the present 

 generation that have tacked on to them legends, traditions, 



