KENNERI CAVES. 
197 
given a view of the front of the temple, and an etching of the gigantic 
figure of the presiding deity, whose image, in all the usual attitudes, 
embellishes several other parts of the vestibule ; and one in parti- 
cular is ornamented with the conical cap worn by the Chinese Fo. 
The entrance, on which there are several inscriptions in the unknown 
character, faces the west. It is worthy observation, that these two 
circumstances, and the coved roof, seem to be peculiar to the tem- 
ples dedicated to Boodh ; at least it is so in the two I have seen, and 
in the one at Ellora described by Sir Charles Mallet in the Asiatic 
Researches. In one of the large square caves which adjoin that 
above described, are many figures, and one that is very remarkable, 
as it shows Vishnou himself in the act of fanning Boodh with the 
chourie : a superior deity may, however, be supposed to reside in 
the circular temples, for within them is no image, unless the circular 
building called by the natives the Dhagope, can be considered as a 
prodigious lingam. I ought to add, that in the cave of Ellora there 
does appear a statue annexed to the Dhagope, which, from the 
manner of holding the finger of one hand between the finger and 
thumb of the other, is probably designed for Boodh. 
The innumerable caves, which have been formed in every part 
of the hill, are square, and flat roofed. I cannot but consider them 
as meant for the habitations of the attendant Brahmins. A very 
curious tradition is mentioned by Monsieur Anquetil du Perron, as 
having been recorded by a Jesuit in a history of the West Indies, 
printed in Portugal ; it is, that the whole of these caves were the 
work of a Gentoo king, some thousand years ago, to secure his only 
son from the attempts of another nation to gain him over to their 
religion. This must probably refer to some disputes between the 
