< Oriental Scenery < Part 5

No. II.

THE ENTRANCE OF AN EXCAVATED HINDOO TEMPLE, AT MAUVELEPORAM.

This rock, like the former, is of coarse granite; the excavation consists of one large apartment, of an oblong form, leaving a small temple attached to that side opposite the entrance. The roof is supported on the sides and front by a double range of columns, all curiously, and not inelegantly, formed of the natural rock. Those on the outside are composed of a lion sitting on a double plinth, forming the lower part of the shaft, which rising octagonally, and tapering, terminates in a capital consisting of three men on horseback supporting the cornice, above which are small ornamental temples in basso-relievo. To the right of this excavation the rocks are sculptured with a great variety of mythological figures, many of which are extremely well carved. On the high ground to the left are the ruins of a large structure nearly mouldered away.

Mauveleporam, or Mahabalipore, is considered by the natives, now residing in a small village of the same name, as the remains of a city of vast magnificence, and of the highest antiquity; and supposed to have been founded by the great Bali, whose name it bears.


The entrance of an excavated Hindoo Temple, at Mauveleporam.

This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.