98 



DESCRIPTIVE REMARKS ON 



sculptures. It consists of a chamber 21 feet 6 inches by 12 feet 

 2 inches, divided by four plain piers into two aisles or verandahs 

 of three bays each, with three small shrine cells at the back, the 

 centre of which has a vacant hole in its floor intended for a 

 lingam or image. It stands forward a little in advance of the 

 two side cells, and was flanked by a dvarapal warder sculptured 

 in a narrow panel on each side of the doorway, which however 

 have both been destroyed. The back wall has been carved to 

 represent the outer wall of a temple or shrine, with plinth-mould- 

 ing, pilasters, and panels, &c, under a fine prominent cornice. 



The front, outside, is quite plain and unadorned. The two 

 piers are about 2 feet square and 7 feet ( = 3^ diameters) high 

 below the brackets, which are quite plain. One-third of the 

 shaft, a little above the centre, is made octagonal by cutting off 

 the corners. Although the style of this is different from that of 

 the other works here, it resembles precisely that of many exca- 

 vations in the neighbouring district, as for instance at Dusi 

 Mamandur 6 miles south of Conjeveram, and at Pafica Panda- 

 var Malai 6 miles south-west of old Arcot, and doubtless at 

 other places in the North and South Arcot and the Chengalpat 

 Districts adjacent. 



33. The commencement of a monolithic shrine or Ratha. — This 

 is a rock of the ridge just to the north of Dharmaraja's Mandapa 

 (No. 44). 



31. MahishXstjra's Couch (compare No. 28 and No. 49). — 

 This is a plain couch- shaped throne to the left front of No. 32 

 to be named next. 



From the path near No. 44, this is reached by passing round 

 the south end of the eastern ridge of the rocks to the 1 right about' 

 and ascending the slope between the two parallel ridges for 60 

 or 70 yards towards the north ; near the top of the slope the 

 couch No. 31 lies directly in front, No. 33 to the right hand, and' 

 No. 32 to the left or west. 



32. The Mahisha Mardini Mandapa, or Yamaptjri. — This 

 excavation is in the east face of the highest part of the rocks, and 

 immediately below the summit on which the conspicuous shell of 



