262 Dr. B.G. Babingtox^s Account of Sculptures, <§-c. at Mahdmalaipur. 



the DwARAPALA will be seen in Plate S, No. 2. Of the columns whicli 

 support the front of the excavation, as well as of the side pilasters I have 

 thought it worth while, on account of their beauty and singular order, to 

 furnish drawings (P/. 7j Nos. 2 and 3) ; while the general appearance of the 

 cave-temple will be best understood by reference to Plate 9- 



There are several other pieces of sculj)ture contained in small temples 

 among the rocks, not noticed either by Mr. Chambers or Mr. Goldingham ; 

 and of these, Plate 10, Nos. j, 2, 3, are examples. 



The DoLOTSAVA Mai^d'apam, seen in the centre of the village, is remark- 

 able for the lightness and elegance of its construction. It is of granite, 

 and is supported on four columns, which rise from a platform elevated by 

 three steps (see PL 11, No. 1). The shafts of the columns with the base 

 are hewn from a single stone, and, including the capital, are twenty-seven 

 feet in height. 



The stone pagoda on the sea-shore, which serves as a land-mark for 

 shipping, and is erroneously stated by Mr. Chambers to be built of brick, 

 is dehneated in Plate 11, No. 2 ; and the gigantic figure lying stretched 

 on the floor in one of its recesses, in Plate 12. At the time when this 

 drawing was made, the figure was enclosed in a small chamber ; but on a 

 subsequent visit I found that the walls had given way, thus leaving it 

 exposed to the open air. As a record therefore of the state of this pagoda 

 and figure, I regard these drawings as not without value in the collection 

 now presented to the Society ; for such is the dilapidated condition of this 

 structure, that the period cannot be far distant when it will no longer exist. 

 The effects of the salt-water spray add much to those of time in hastening 

 its decay. 



Whether this pagoda was dedicated to Vishnu pr to Siva, I regard as 

 doubtful : tradition fav-ours the former supposition. At all events, the 

 pillar which stands before it amid the spray of the sea is certainly not a 

 Ihigam, as some suppose, but merely the stambha or post, which is found, 

 I believe, fronting all Hindu temples of consideration. That this pillar is 

 now near the high-water mark is by no means a convincing proof that the 

 sea has encroached here, for I see no reason why such a spot should not 

 have been originally selected for its erection. If it be a fact, as mentioned 

 by Bishop Heber, that the sea is receding from most other parts of the 

 Coromandel coast, it is difficult to conceive why it should advance in this 

 place ; such a local encroachment could only be efJ'ected by a change in the 



