X432/6(11)

Rameswara.

RAMESWARA*.

‘Plate XI. Plans C.’

The situation of the ‘Rameswara’ is marked in the second general view of Ellora by No. 7 in the margin, being directly under it. There is an area to this excavation, in the centre of which, No, 1, is the bull ‘Nandi’ couchant. 2, a cistern of very fine water. 3,3, female figures. The front of this cave is supported by four pillars and two pilasters of considerable beauty, and elaborately sculptured. A female figure, on the left-hand pilaster, has much grace. It is worthy notice, that the figures in the latter caves have universally highly ornamented headdresses, different from the first, which have only curled hair. 4, the entrance. 5, the large hall, fifteen feet in height. 6, a curious group of skeleton figures, said to represent a miser, his wife, son, and daughter, all praying in vain for food, while two thieves are carrying off his wealth. 7, the horse ‘Chanda’. 8, ‘Kala Bhiru’, the principal figure being in a dancing attitude, and musicians in the group. 9, re-entering the hall from the recess, on the right is a group of ‘Maha-Deva’ and ‘Parvati’, playing at chess, with ‘Narad’ sitting between them, stimulating a feud, to which ‘Parvati’ by the throw of her right hand, seems well disposed, which is below represented as having taken place. 10,10, female figures. 11, ‘Gowra’ and ‘Parvati’ in heaven supported by ‘Ravana’. 12, ‘Bhawwani Mayisasur’. 13, the nuptials of ‘Raja Janaka’, at which there is a great attendance of figures, and amongst them, one holding a cocoa-nut used on such solemnities. Below are sitting ‘Ganesa’, ‘Brahma’, &c. officiating at the marriage ceremony. 14, the ‘Swami Kartika’ (the leader of the celestial armies) with his peacock and two attendants. On each side of the door of the temple in the recess, 15,15, are two gigantic and two smaller figures. Many of the pillars of this excavation are elaborately ornamented. Very near this cave is another small one, containing the sexual emblem called ‘Linga’ or ‘Lingam’; and still a little further, another of considerable dimensions, but quite plain, and almost choked up both within and at the entry. There are also three or four other excavations of the same rank between the last-mentioned and the great work of ‘Kailas’, or the heaven of the gods.

Near to the last described is the temple of ‘Nila-Kantha Maha-Deva’. (Vide Plans C.) In the area, No. 1, is the bull ‘Nandi’, in a square enclosure, on which time has made its ravages. No. 2, a detached apartment (called ‘Hom ka jaygi’, or, Place of sacrifice) containing an assemblage of ten figures, the size of life. In this assemblage is ‘Rudrayana’, ‘Brahma’, ‘Siva’, ‘Varana’, &c. most of these figures have four arms. You ascend into the cave by a few steps, on each side of which, on the wall at the extremities, are two figures, 3,3, that seem to be of a military order. 4, the god ‘Kartika’. 5,5, ‘Lakshmi’, 6, ‘Ganesa’, mutilated of his trunk. 7. the apartment of the ‘Devas’ or gods, with the ‘Linga’ of ‘Maha-Deva’. The sculpture in this cave is not so good as in most of the others.

‘Durvasa Rishi’, (a famous saint, whose name is given to the cave) (Vide Plans C.) is near the former, and is an excavation of considerable size, but not remarkable for its decorations. On each side the door of the recess is a gigantic figure. 1,1, the recess. 2, is without an idol. Height of the cave fourteen feet.

*The god ‘Rama’.