THE SEVEN PAGODAS. 



103 



once contained a lingam probably, though now vacant. The 

 panels on each side of the five cell doorways contain a dvarapal 

 warder, all much in the prevalent style here. The end walls of 

 the terrace outside the cave have the cankha and eahra carved 

 on them (just as in the Ramanuja Mandapa No. 48), although 

 the lingam-sockets look as if the cave had been intended for 

 the worship of Siva. 



51. Konert Mandapa (north) excavation; unfinished. — This 

 is alongside No. 52, and consists of a single verandah or portico 

 36 feet long north — south, 10 feet deep, and 10 feet high, in five 

 bays, with four lion-based pillars, and has a single shrine cell in 

 the centre of the back wall which is now vacant. A word or two 

 of inscription is cut on the floor of the cell or in front of its 

 entrance. 



50. The Kotikal Mandapa (excavation). — Leaving No. 51 

 and ascending the rocks, a walk of 150 yards or so to the north- 

 east brings one to the Kotikal Mandapa, which is some 50 or 60 

 yards south-west from the Gropi's churn (No. 20). It consists 

 of a chamber 22. feet long or wide north — south, 9 feet 6 inches 

 deep, and 8 feet high, behind a couple of plain square pillars. 

 There is a shrine cell in the centre of the back wall, with a sculp- 

 tured figure in a niche panel on each side of the doorway. 



The foregoing completes the circuit of the main group of the 

 rocks. 



The five Monolithic Eathas, the Lion, Bull and Elephant.. 

 ■ — A walk of half a mile across the sandy plain to the south of 

 No. 44 brings one to the main group of the monolithic shrines,, 

 five in number, besides the lion, bull and elephant monoliths, 

 which are fully life-size or larger. 



Four of the monolith shrines are in a row or line north and 

 south, all opening to the west, away from the sea-breeze ; the- 

 fifth shrine is placed a little way apart to the west, across the 

 street as it were, and it opens and faces to the south. 



36. Lion Monolith. — This figure stands at the north end of 

 the row facing north, with head erect and larger than life. It is 

 much more life-like than the modern type of sculptured lion, but 

 is still conventional. The mane is represented in regular rows of 



