664 Notes on the Bums at MaMhdlipuram. [No. 7. 



examination. A similar image, in a better state of preservation, is 

 to be seen within the granite screen, on one side of the portico ; and 

 on the other, in a closet or small chamber of comparatively recent 

 construction, is a large recumbent statue of Vishnoo, with the ordi- 

 nary Ses-naga below and above him. 



On the shore close by, are several rudely sculptured rocks : one 

 representing a monster with human arms and the head of an ox or 

 buffalo, commonly called the Yam raja. They have suffered greatly 

 from the action of the sea air, as has also every part of the adjacent 

 temple, except its chaityas of basalt. In this respect, there is a 

 great difference between its appearance and that of the caves, or 

 even of the group of monoliths placed in a situation no less exposed : 

 and after close examination of all surrounding circumstances, I am 

 unable to resist the conclusion, that this temple is by many degrees 

 the most ancient of the remains at Mahabalipoor : in fact that it is 

 one of the most ancient in India. I am aware that Mr. James 

 Fergusson considers, " that its age does not differ materially from 

 the rest ;" and it is with the greatest diffidence that I venture to 

 express an opinion differing from that entertained by so competent 

 an authority : but Mr. Fergusson was specially engaged in the 

 examination of the rock-cut temples ; remarking the similarities and 

 the differences existing between them and similar works in other 

 parts of India ; so that probably he had little leisure for this struc- 

 ture ; to which I, on the contrary, devoted much attention. Besides, 

 if I remember right, he decided these caves to be more modern than 

 those of Ellora: at the same time he considered the celebrated 

 Kylas of that place to have been copied from some earlier edifice of 

 Southern India : and looking to the very great general similarity of 

 style, I am certainly inclined to refer this shore temple of Mahaba- 

 lipoor, to the age of those earlier structures, although the precise 

 model of the Kylas may not be found here, but at Shellumbrum or 

 Tanjore. This would give a considerable difference of date ; and 

 the supposition is borne out by the assurances of the Brahmins who 

 attended Mr. Goldingham, that their ancient books •" contained no 

 account of any of the structures here described, except the stone 

 pagoda near the sea, and the pagodas of brick near the village." The 

 obvious error of the last statement certainly detracts from the value 



