4 Notes on Assam Temple Ruins. [No. 1. 



(at a guess) 12 feet in circumference, which was originally the 

 crowning ornament of the dome, but which all the power and skill 

 of the renovators could not replace in its former position. It now 

 lies on the ground, outside the enclosure, and a good sized tree has 

 taken root in the bowl ! 



It will be seen from the note that the origin of this temple is 

 ascribed to King Norok,* or, at all events, that it was in existence 

 in his days. In re-excavating a large tank, in the modern town of 

 Gowahatty, which is named after that monarch, the fragments of 

 more than one stone temple were found, and in every part of the 

 station, carved stones are constantly being exhumed from deep below 

 the surface. 



The present Jail Hospital occupies what appears to have been the 

 site of a stone temple of more than the ordinary dimensions, judging 

 from the shaft and capital of a column, an altar block and other 

 fragments, that were dug up there, much larger than the correspond- 

 ing pieces of the temple ruins elsewhere. They were found, in 

 levelling the compound, some depth below the surface, and further 

 excavations would, in all probability, bring the whole of the frag- 

 ments of this interesting temple to light. One of the most promi- 

 nent objects in the view from Gowahatty is the Oomanand, the 

 "Isola bella" of the scene; the delight of Ooma and celebrated 

 throughout India as a holy island. 



It was here that Siva is said to have communicated to Parbati the 

 prophetic history contained in the Jogini-tantro, and all evil omens 

 are averted by one glance at the spot so honored. 



It rises about 60 feet aboye the stream. Groves of trees, of varied 

 foliage, drooping over the rocks, add to its height, and above them 

 tower the minarets of brick temples dedicated to Siva and Parbati. 



* The Jogini Tantro, a work of high repute in Assam, as its contents are sup- 

 posed to have been communicated by Siva to his consort Parbati, states, regarding 

 the king Norok, that, though an •« Osur" infidel, he was in such favour with the 

 gods, that they made him the guardian of the temple of Kamikhya. It is not 

 improbable, that the temple was originally erected by Norok, but of this we have 

 no certain evidence. The assertion made in the Tantro, however, would, at least, 

 lead us to suppose, that the temple was in existence in his days. 



Robinson's MS. 



