TEMPLES — ELEPHANTA SfAHABAUPOOR. 225 



object, placed in the centre, is a triple bead of colossal di- 

 mensions, being six feet from the chin to the crown. It 

 was lonf supposed to represent the Hindoo triad ; but is 

 now believed to be simply a figure of Siva, to whom this 

 temple is dedicated, and with whose images it is filled. On 

 the neighbouring and larger island are the cave-temples of 

 Kenneri, less spacious, but more lofty, and equally rich in 

 sculptures. A whole hill was here formed into an exca- 

 vated city, with tanks, stairs, and every accommodation for 

 a large population ; but all is now deserted and silent. The 

 great cave of Carli on the opposite coast is similar to those 

 of Kenneri, but still more spacious and elegant. Again, near 

 the ancient city of Deoghir and the modern Dowlatabad are 

 the wondrous structures of Ellora. Here a lofty hill is com- 

 pletely cut out into a range of temples, and its surface cov- 

 ered with varied sculpture and ornaments. " The first 

 view," says Mr. Erskine, " of this desolate religious city is 

 grand and striking, but melancholy. The number and 

 magnificence of the subterraneous temples, the extent and 

 loftiness of some, the endless diversity of sculpture in 

 others, the variety of curious foliage, of minute tracery, 

 highly-wrought pillars, rich mythological designs, sacred 

 shrines, and colossal statues, astonish but distract the mind. 

 The empire whose pride they must have been has passed 

 away, and left not a memorial behind it." 



We may likewise notice Mahabalipoor, known also by the 

 name of the Seven Pagodas, situated about thirty-five miles 

 south of Madras. The term signifies the city of the Great 

 Bali, and the sculptures refer chiefly to the exploits of that 

 deified hero, as well as to those of Krishna, Arjoona, and 

 other actors in the war celebrated in the Mahabarat. While 

 the structures in the west of India are dedicated almost ex- 

 clusively to Siva, this is sacred to Vishnu, of whom, in the 

 principal temple, there appears a colossal image sleeping on 

 an enormous hooded snake. These monuments are not on 

 the same gigantic scale as those at Elephants and Kenneri ; 

 but many of them are said to be very beautifully executed. 

 Tradition and some remains attest the existence of a great 

 capital near this site ; but at present it is inhabited only by 

 a few Bramins living in huts, who obtain a subsistence by 

 exhibiting the ruins. 



The pyramidal temples called pagodas are numerous in 



