1844.] ' 



Ac-count of Mamallaipiir. 



83 



On some of the rocks between this place and Krishna's 

 Choultry may be seen the rude commencement of seveial de- 

 signs, which have been abandoned. Amongst them, however, 

 is a finished excavation 21 feet long, 17 deep and 9 high. The 

 rqofis sustained by 4 strong pillars. There are three niches 

 in this excavation, with the outlines of a figure on each side 

 of the centre niche. There is also along inscription on the south 

 west end, now almost illegible. 



About a mile to the south of the village in a small palmira 

 tope is a cluster of monolithic temples. It consists of five*, 

 each differing from the rest in shape and dimensions, and 

 each fashioned out of a detached solid mass of rock. 



The first I shall notice stands a little to the west of the 

 others, (No. 20), and is in shape similar to a horse-shoe. » It is 

 a neat piece of sculpture 18 feet in length, 11 feet in width 

 and about i 6 feet in height. At the so,uth end, that whicll 

 is right angled, is a roughly hewn niche, and a portal with 

 two pillars. * 



The four other temples lie nearly yi a straight line ; but 

 before describing them I would notice an image of a Lionf 

 and another of an Elephant, both as large as life, whiph^stand 

 between this small temple and the other four. That of the 

 Lion is cracked. It measures in length 7 feet, and round the 

 neck 8 feet : it is sunk in the earth about knee deep ; never- 

 theless it has a noble appearance and its body is well pro- 

 portioned. The Elephant measures 14 feet in length and 12 

 feet in height. Its circumference in the largest part of its 

 body is about 20 feet: round its head and throat 14 feet ; and 

 round the largest part of the proboscis 7 feet. It appears 

 somewhat unfinished, and is sunk a little in the earth. 



* At a second visit to the place I understood that the Sculptor's idea was the con. 

 struction of five dwellings for the five Pandanas. W. T. 



t Lion, the symbol of kingly power : Elephaiit — that of great prosperity ; and in par- 

 ticular the vehicle of lndra. W. T, 



