70 Major Gill — On TIemndpauti Temples in W. Berar. [Feb. 



handsome revenue to Government. Dalla is sold at .Rupees 85 per kandi ; 

 papri at Rupees 18 to Rupees 25 ; and bhuski Rupees 8 to 10. The rent at 

 present is Rupees 0,500 per annum on a three years' lease. 



The finest temple is outside the village to the south within a mudwalL 

 When I first visited it, more than twenty years ago, the whole basement 

 was buried in debris, but the sculptures were far more perfect than they are 

 now. The basement has been unearthed, and the temple otherwise thrown 

 open, and now the first sight of it takes one by surprise. 



Like those of Amruth and Somnath the whole exterior of this temple 



is one mass of sculpture, and the eaves and 

 Tide photographs 1st Series, gQme of the borders are very beautiful ; but 

 Son. 13, 14, 15, and 16. ■,/./• 



though the quantity of sculpture is so great, 



the subjects are comparatively few, — gods of the Hindu pantheon, obscenity 

 in its grossest forms, dancing girls and musicians, and all the paraphernalia 

 of debauchery. Many of the groups visible twenty years ago have since 

 been knocked off, a piece of Vandalism similar to that acted at Ellora where 

 several statues were emasculated to save the blushes forsooth of two prudish 

 ladies : but still traces remain to render it a case of " honi soit qui mal 

 y pense." 



The next Hemadpauti temple is to the north of the village, and midway 



between it and the temple and tank ; it con- 



VicU photographs 1st Series, gigts f port i co w [ t ^ sma n w ings at each 

 Nos. 19 and 20. \ ° 



end open m iront, but enclosed on the other 



side and supported by three lines of columns and pilasters opposite each 

 column in the third rank. It measures 102 feet by 20 feet, and there has 

 been an enclosed building in a line with one of the wings. It is supposed 

 to have been a place of almsgiving ; the recipients occupy the portico 

 while the victuals were cooked in the enclosure. 



To the east of the large temple is a fine Hemadpauti tank. 

 Half way along the road to the salt lake is another very pretty templa, 



and there are four others in the margin of 

 Tide photographs 1st Series, tlie lak the three best of which are pic- 

 tfos. 21, 22, and 28. . ' l 



turecl in the photographs. 



All these temples probably belong to about the 12th century when the 

 Hindus seem to have been perfectly " mad upon their idols" and were only 

 saved from utter degradation resulting therefrom by the inroads ■ of the 

 iconoclastic followers of Islam. 



Dhotra'. 



Dhotra is about 30 miles north by west from Lonar, and about half a 

 mile south-east of the village stands a very fine temple, and near it are the 

 remains of a splendid tank, which if cleared out would yield a plentiful sup- 

 ply of good water throughout the year to the poor villagers who have to go 



