210 



DESCRIPTIVE REMARKS ON 



The next rock is smaller and lies on the west and north- west 

 side of that above described ; it is carved to represent a lion 

 couchant, and it has an elegant pipal-leaf-shaped lamp-niche on 

 its east side, opposite the griffin niche of the south-south-eastern- 

 most rock. 



The (third or) northernmost of the three sculptured rocks south 

 of the shore temple is like the first, to the south of it, in that it is 

 carved into a griffin or tiger niche, only instead of a single griffin 

 it has five griffin or tiger heads arranged in an arch, similar to 

 the nine-griffin bower at Saluvankuppam. Here it is on the 

 west side of the rock, and the niche is a plain arched recess 

 without pilasters or cornice. 



The figure of a man (a rishi ?) is carved on the back, and five 

 now shapeless figures below. 



This group of sculptured rocks is much smaller than that of 

 Saluvankuppam, and, being within reach of the sea so as to be 

 surrounded at every high tide and covered with the surf except 

 in very calm weather, the carvings are much obliterated ; but the 

 intention is so much alike in both that they would seem to be 

 the work of the same people and age. 



Saluvankuppam. — At Saluvankuppam, about an hour's walk over 

 the sandy waste to the north, the first sculptured rock met with 

 is the Idaiyanpadal Mandapa. 



The east face of the southern part of the rock has a bare- 

 backed horse facing the north towards a couple of elephants' 

 faces in rude bas-relief looking to the front (east), and between 

 them the faint delineation of a pillar or pilaster with a round 

 bulging capital and the lower part of a plain bracket, unfinished 

 above. The elephants' heads are surmounted by small 

 square niches within an arched hood or border. One 

 of them seems to have been carved inside, but the 

 carving is obliterated. An arched mark may be seen 

 on the forehead or front of each elephant's face. (See 

 margin). 



The northern part of the rock adjoining rises to a greater 



