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CONJE VERAM. 435 
which he made several beautiful drawings. He delivered me the 
following report of his journey. 
" February 16. — -At eight in the morning I reached Conjeveram. 
The principal entrance to the great pagoda is very lofty, and re- 
sembles much in its shape and ornaments that at Tanjore. On the 
left, after passing through it, was a large edifice like a choultry, 
containing, as the Brahmins assert, and which appears probable 
from its great extent, a thousand pillars : many of these were hand- 
somely and curiously carved with figures of Hindoo deities, some 
of which had a kind of halo, or glory, round their heads. Several of 
the groups were composed with more skill than usual, particularly 
one representing the alarm of a child, whom a Brahmin is tying to 
the altar of Mahadeo. The sides of the steps leading up to it were 
formed by two well carved elephants drawing a car. An elevated 
musnud occupied the centre. Opposite to this building was a tank, 
and several small pagodas : the side of one of them was covered 
with ancient and unknown characters, similar to those at the Seven 
Pagodas. On another were carved, in relief, some curious designs 
in compartments, two of which I sketched: the first is a species of 
centaur striking a bell over an altar, and the second represents 
Rama in the act of drawing his bow, which is of singular con- 
struction, with Hunimaun seated below. The second court, or 
inner square, being considered as holy, I was not admitted into it. 
This temple is dedicated to Seva. I afterwards ascended by seven 
flights of steps to the top of the large gateway : the view from it 
was extremely fine, consisting of extensive woods intersected by a 
large sheet of water, with numerous pagodas rising among the 
trees, and a magnificent range of retiring mountains in the distance, 
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