1838,] at Dhauli in CuttacJc. 437 



this cavern is an inscription (Fig. 2,) slightly scratched on a detached 

 block of stone. The inscription (Fig. 1,) is roughly cut in a small cave 

 (b) on the southern face. 



" There are traces of other buildings having formerly existed on this 

 and the adjoining hills, also in the cavities between them (m f) there 

 is a fine temple dedicated to Ganesha and Mahadeva at the wes- 

 tern cave of the hill, also ruins of several others, (g h.) 



" Stone has been extensively quarried here for the different temples in 

 the vicinity, and (I should venture to add) for Kamirak*. The Aswastama 

 is situated on the northern face of the southernmost rock near its sum- 

 mit ; the rock has been hewn and polished for a space of fifteen feet 

 long by ten in height, and the inscription deeply cut thereon being 

 divided into four tablets, the first of which appears to have been executed 

 at a different period from the rest ; the letters are much larger and not 

 so well cut. The fourth tablet is encircled by a deep line, and is cut 

 with more care than either of the others. 



" Immediately above the inscription is a terrace sixteen feet by fourteen 

 (a) on the right side of which (as you face the inscription) is the fore 

 half of an elephant, four feet high, of superior workmanship ; the whole 

 is hewn out of the solid rock. There is a groove four inches wide by two 

 in depth round three sides of the terrace, with a space of three feet left 

 (a doorway ?) immediately in front of the elephant ; there are also 

 two grooves, one on either side of the elephant on the floor and in 

 the perpendicular face ; these must have been intended probably to fix 

 a wooden canopy. 



" There are also many broken caves in the rocks adjoining the Aswas- 

 tama, and the foundations of many buildings ; one in particular immedi- 

 ately above the inscription which may have been one of the chatyas or 

 stupas mentioned in the inscription. 



The elephant does not seem to be an object of worship, though I 

 was informed that one day in every year is appointed, when the brah- 

 mins of the temples in the vicinity attend, and throw water on it, and 

 besmear it with red lead in honor of Ganesha. 



" There are five caves in a row on the high rock south of the elephant 

 (c c c) called by some " Panch-pandav" and by others « Panch-gosain /' 

 beside these caves (where there are traces of many others) there are 

 numerous small holes like mortars, cut in the rock ; these were probably 

 used to compound the drugs and medicines by the medical devotees 

 mentioned in the inscriptions. Like cavities occur at the caves of Rhand- 

 giri; some larger than the rest have been used as reservoirs. 

 * The black pagoda. 

 3 i 2 



