1850.] 



Sircar of IP y tun. 



373 



males sculptured on them. The inner verandah or hall has the en- 

 trance supported by four handsome pillars, and two pilasters, the 

 shafts rectangular with sculptured scrolled medallions containing the 

 frequently repeated group of amatory figures ; the upper part of the 

 shaft is encircled by a band on which Elephants are cut; passing 

 down into the hall or inner verandah by one step, the doorway lead- 

 ing to the sanctuary is seen immediately in front, before which are 

 steps leading up to the sanctuary, it being raised some three or four 

 feet above the hall. The side passages of the sanctuary are lighted 

 by windows looking from the hall. The doorway is very richly 

 sculptured with mouldings running round architraves and lintel of 

 a varying pattern of chain work, rosettes, and jewelry, interspersed 

 with grotesque figures of human bodies bearing the heads of animals ; 

 the usual Pagoda cornice surmounts the whole, similar to that seen 

 over the sanctuary door of the first and last described Caves. The 

 two windows or apertures for affording light to the side passages, 

 are as elaborately finished as the doorway, but instead of a cornice 

 above, have each a frieze or entablature decorated with rosettes, on 

 which are represented Lutchmee seated between two Elephants in 

 the act of pouring vessels of water over her; two attendants stand 

 beside her ; this introduction of Lutchmee into a Buddhist Temple 

 occurs several times at Elloora, more especially in those most modern. 

 Lutchmee is considered by some, as representing the Frecund prin- 

 ciple amongst Buddhist, of which water itself is typical. Between 

 the door and windows we find sculptured on the wall in very high 

 relief, gigantic figures of the two remarkable Buddhist attendants, 

 the decorated and unadorned figures that we have before dwelt up- 

 on in some detail. I cannot help surmising that they represent in 

 conjunction with the idol in the sanctuary, a recognition of the Hin- 

 doo trinity, for the Buddhists in their degenerate days, acknowledg- 

 ed, in common with the Jains, the Trimurtiof the Brahman religion; 

 at Elloora these two figures may be traced through the Jain Caves 

 holding similar prominent positions but there they are Digambara 

 figures, here Savithambara. The simpler figure of the two appears 

 in this instance as in others, to be invested with a higher degree of 

 sanctity than his more highly decorated companion. His head dress 

 is similar to that given to Brahmah at Elloora and has engraved up- 

 on it the Buddhist emblem: his right hand is raised in a devotional 

 attitude the palm outward, with the fingers towards the heavens, 

 the ancient mode adopted when solemnly making oath* in the left 



* Rev. Chap. x. 6. Gen. Chap. xir. 22. 



vol. xvr, no. xxxviii, A 2 



