THE SEVEN PAGODAS. 



95 



front pillars and two pilasters are lion-based, and the brackets 

 were to be unusually ornamented by semi-rampant lions with 

 human riders above a fine tabular abacus. 



The finished parts of the crowning row of domical cell ornaments 

 are worthy of notice as showing the use of the curved projecting 

 (canopy) block in the horse-shoe roof dormers, and the project- 

 ing panel shaft which they surmounted. 



The shrine cell which occupies the centre of this mandapa, and 

 the back parts are merely blocked out. 



27. The RIyala G5pueam, an unfinished modern looking gate- 

 way with its four megalithic posts might be visited here if desired. 



15. The Krishna Mandapa ; Pillared hall and Rock-cut bas- 

 relief. — On leaving the Panca Pandava Cave No. 16 the path 

 continues southward between the rocks and the back (west) wall 

 of the Sthalasayanasvami (Vishnu) temple for 40 yards to the 

 Krishna Mandapa, which is near its south-west corner, facing east. 

 This is a structural mandapa or pillared and covered court, built 

 of hewn stones in front of the rock which has been sculptured to 

 represent a great pastoral scene. 



Two princes with their wives and attendants appear to have 

 taken shelter in the cave-dwelling of the herds-folk, several of 

 whom (see Carr, PI. II) wear a head-dress very like some of the 

 country-folk depicted in Fergusson's Tree and Serpent Worship, 

 where they also wear a striped garment. Some of these have a 

 very Hindustani look about them. 



The front row of four pillars have lion-bases, but the upper part 

 of their shafts and brackets are very modern looking. 



48. Ramanuja Mandapa : excavation.— Proceeding about 100 

 yards further to the south from the Krishna Mandapa the path 

 reaches a spot whence by turning to the right or west, and 

 ascending the slope up to the steep scarp of rock near the sum- 

 mit of the ridge, the Ramanuja Mandapa (excavation) may now 

 be visited best. 



This must have been a very pretty and well finished excavation 

 originally, consisting of a portico or verandah under a row of 

 oblong cell-ornaments (like No. 25), with a projecting cornice, 

 and behind two lion-based octagon pillars and two square lion 



