320 



SIKKIM HIMALAYA. 



Chap. XIV. 



(three to four feet), a very feeble light is admitted. In 

 the principal temple, called " Dugang," six hexagonal 

 wooden columns, narrowed above, with peculiar broad 



SoT'THFTiN TKMPUC. 



transverse capitals, exquisitely gilded and painted, support 

 the cross-beams of the roof, which are likewise beautifully 

 ornamented. Sometimes a curly-maned gilt lion is placed 

 over a column, and it is always furnished with a black bushy 

 tail : squares, diamonds, dragons, and groups of flowers, 

 vermilion, green, gold, azure, and white, are dispersed with 

 great artistic taste over all the beams ; the heavier masses 

 of colour being separated by fine white lines. 



The altars and idols are placed at the opposite end ; and 

 two long parallel benches, like cathedral stalls, run down 

 the centre of the building : on these the monks sit at 



