154 
Dondre Head. 
From the centre rises a bell-shaped spire with a small cone on a 
square pedestal, the whole about thirty feet high. The Cinglese 
come hither daily to perform their devotions. A granite pillar 
to receive a lamp is placed at the front of the temple, which 
is mostly cut out of solid rock. This temple contains a figure 
of Buddou, and in the shrine is said to be buried one of the 
teeth of the Sacred Elephant. 
About half a mile from this temple is the Point of Dondre 
Head, to which you proceed along an avenue, where are the 
ruins of several more temples resembling those on the Coro- 
mandel coast. Close to the coast is a building designed for the 
use of devotees who perform their last ablution in the sea. 
The descent though great is not difficult. The shore below is 
lined with rocks of granite washed by the waves. This build- 
ing is encircled by rows of pillars of granite about ten feet 
high. Between the pillars and the main body of this temple 
are little square compartments, where the devotees sit to refresh 
themselves. Beyond this is the inner portal of an Hindoo tem- 
ple, consisting of two upright stones supporting a cross one all 
covered on one side with ornaments similar to those on the 
Coromandel coast; jig. 2, plate 1, page 112.) To the left 
are the ruins of more temples ; the steps and slabs of stone 
discovered here and there are almost buried in the earth. Those 
leading up to platforms or raised floors are decorated with 
figures of elephants’ heads and other beasts, and of men and wo- 
men naked. Near this spot is a deep well, the mouth covered^ 
with a black granite, with a hole through its centre. Two prints 
of a foot are seen on this stone, and a figure is scooped out 
two feet in depth. This well has every appearance of having 
been inclosed in some building now not existing, nor is the 
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